Glenn Beck's war on Google
Google is really a revolution-sparking "shill" for Obama — at least, according to the Fox News star's latest conspiracy theory

The video: Glenn Beck doesn't want his search engine overthrowing governments, palling around with "hardcore leftists," or being a "shill" for the U.S. government. That, as he explained on his Fox News show this week, is why he's avoiding Google. (Watch the video below.) The way Beck sees it, Google's web of suspicious intrigue starts with Wael Ghonim, the marketing executive involved in Egypt's uprising; extends to ex-State Department official Jared Cohen, who heads up Google Ideas; and — take a deep breath — includes the NSA, George Soros, and the Tides Foundation.
The reaction: Is Glenn Beck's "mouth connected to a brain?" says Frank Watson in Search Engine Watch. Google isn't "in bed" with any government, and it has no role in its workers' extracurricular activities. I mean, is Fox "involved with all their employees endeavors? If yes, then they have some things to answer for." Oh, come now — this is "genius," says Carmel Lobello in Death and Taxes. "Beck is totally gaming Google." His reasons for being wary of the search giant are a mixture of the "laughable" and the "reasonable, though tired," but try googling Google on Google News. For a while, the top result was Beck's attack. Consider Beck's theorizing for yourself:
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Week Unwrapped: Will robots benefit from a sense of touch
Podcast Plus, has Donald Trump given centrism a new lease of life? And was it wrong to release the deadly film Rust?
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures A dancing couple, a new pope, and more
-
How to create your perfect bedscape
The Week Recommends Nighttime is the right time to get excited about going to bed
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy