Full Breakdown
Trump’s Use of Elon Musk’s Grok AI Before the 2026 Capture of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro
By Drooid · · How we work
Operation “Absolute Resolve” and the Capture of Maduro
In early 2026 the United States launched a two-and-a-half-hour military operation, dubbed “Absolute Resolve,” that resulted in the seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in Caracas. Air strikes began on January 2, after months of planning, and the pair were removed from the capital on January 3, transferred to an assault ship in the Caribbean, routed through Guantanamo Bay, and flown to New York. Cuban officials later reported that 32 Cuban citizens were killed during the operation, either in direct combat or as a result of bombardments.
Grok AI Consultation Prior to the Strike
According to an unnamed official present at a meeting the month before the operation, President Donald Trump spent several hours questioning Elon Musk’s chatbot Grok about his presidency, legacy, and the likely reaction of Venezuelans to a possible overthrow of Maduro. The official told TIME that Grok responded the Venezuelan people would “likely celebrate” the removal, describing Maduro as an unpopular dictator. The same source said Trump was “extremely impressed” with the AI’s assessment.
Legal and Political Aftermath
Following his capture, Maduro faces U.S. charges of narcoterrorism and conspiracy to transport cocaine. He has denied all allegations and is scheduled to stand trial next June. In the weeks after the operation, celebrations were reported in some Venezuelan diaspora communities.
Official Statements, Public Opinion, and AI Policy
President Trump has repeatedly emphasized his support for artificial-intelligence development, signing an executive order to rename the technology “super intelligence.” An unnamed aide told TIME that Trump dismissed poll data from pollster Tony Fabrizio showing public fear of AI’s economic impact. A POLITICO poll found a majority of respondents believed AI posed some risk of human extinction, with nearly 17 percent deeming that outcome “almost certain.”
Key figures: Donald Trump — U.S. President; Elon Musk — CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, creator of Grok; Nicolás Maduro — deposed President of Venezuela; Cilia Flores — Maduro’s wife.