Trump Used Grok AI to Plan Maduro Capture

President Donald Trump consulted Elon Musk's Grok chatbot in December 2025 to evaluate the potential consequences of capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. During a secret meeting at the White House, Trump asked the AI how the Venezuelan population would respond to such an operation. Grok responded that Maduro was deeply unpopular and that his downfall would likely be welcomed by the public.

This consultation followed a period of escalating military tension, including US strikes against Venezuelan boats that began in September 2025. Shortly after the AI consultation, US forces captured Maduro in Caracas on January 3, 2026.

Maduro is currently in US custody facing drug-trafficking charges in New York. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges, claiming immunity as a former head of state. His trial is scheduled to begin in June 2027.