3am Today

“Show me a man that gets rich by being a politician, and I’ll show you a crook.”   -Harry S. Truman – April, 1954

We like to play with AI from time-to-time to find out what it thinks about historical events, speeches, etc.

This case is no different; only we were rewarded by Chat GPT telling us that we “may have violated the terms and conditions of service.”

When we ask ChatGPT the following question: “show me a rich politician, and I’ll show you a crook.”

ChatGPT gleefully spit out the following answer, of course, with the possible violation that still has us questioning why.

The statement “show me a rich politician, and I’ll show you a crook” reflects a cynical view about wealth and politics, suggesting that individuals who accumulate significant wealth while in public office might have done so through unethical or corrupt means. It alludes to the idea that political power can be abused for personal financial gain, and that many wealthy politicians are involved in shady dealings to secure their wealth.

This viewpoint, while held by some, doesn’t apply universally. Many politicians work to serve the public good, and some accumulate wealth through legal and ethical means, such as investments or business ventures prior to entering politics. However, the statement does underscore the distrust some people feel toward political figures, especially in countries where corruption scandals are common.

We decided to continue the conversation by asking ChatGPT the following question: “asking about examples of politicians who have been accused of corruption.”

ChatGPT’s response was a little more mundane and informative this time and we were not blessed with a violation warning.

There have been numerous politicians around the world who have been accused of corruption or involved in scandals related to financial misconduct. Here are a few notable examples:

1. Richard Nixon (USA). Accusation: Watergate Scandal

The most famous corruption scandal in U.S. history, Watergate, led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon in 1974. It involved the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters and the subsequent cover-up, where Nixon was accused of obstructing justice and misusing power for political gain. Though he wasn’t personally charged with corruption, his involvement in the cover-up and abuse of power led to his downfall.

2. Silvio Berlusconi (Italy). Accusation: Tax Fraud, Bribery, and Corruption

Silvio Berlusconi, Italy’s former prime minister and media mogul, faced multiple legal issues throughout his political career. He was convicted of tax fraud in 2012 and had multiple charges of bribery and corruption. His wealth and media empire raised questions about whether his political decisions were influenced by his business interests.

3. Jacob Zuma (South Africa). Accusation: Corruption, Fraud, and Money Laundering

Former South African President Jacob Zuma faced widespread accusations of corruption, most notably related to the so-called “state capture” scandal. It was alleged that Zuma and his associates allowed the Gupta family to influence government decisions and state contracts in exchange for financial kickbacks. Zuma was also accused of embezzling public funds and was eventually convicted of contempt of court in 2021.

4. Luis Donaldo Colosio (Mexico). Accusation: Link to Drug Cartels (Controversial)

While Luis Donaldo Colosio, the 1994 presidential candidate for Mexico’s Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), was never formally accused of corruption during his lifetime, his assassination raised suspicions of a political cover-up related to corruption and cartel influence within the PRI. He had campaigned against the party’s entrenched corruption, leading to conspiracy theories surrounding his death.

5. Aung San Suu Kyi (Myanmar). Accusation: Corruption (Post-2010)

Aung San Suu Kyi, once seen as a global symbol of democracy, was accused of corruption after the military coup in 2021 ousted her government. The military regime charged her with bribery, mismanagement of state affairs, and other accusations. Critics argue that her time in power was tainted by a lack of accountability, especially with respect to her handling of the Rohingya crisis, though not directly related to personal wealth.

6. José Eduardo dos Santos (Angola). Accusation: Embezzlement and Corruption

Former Angolan president José Eduardo dos Santos was accused of embezzling billions of dollars from the country’s oil wealth during his long rule from 1979 to 2017. His family, particularly his daughter, Isabel dos Santos, has been involved in numerous legal battles over alleged corruption linked to their control of Angola’s wealth.

7. Nawaz Sharif (Pakistan). Accusation: Corruption and Money Laundering

Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan’s former prime minister, faced multiple corruption charges, most notably following the Panama Papers leak in 2016. The leak revealed that his family had offshore companies and assets that were not disclosed to the public. Sharif was convicted of corruption in 2018 and sentenced to prison, though the case remains controversial with claims of political motivation behind the charges.

8. Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe). Accusation: Corruption and Embezzlement

Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s longtime president, was accused of widespread corruption and embezzling state resources to fund his regime and personal luxury. His rule, marked by repression and human rights violations, also led to the country’s economic collapse, with Mugabe and his associates accused of using public money for personal gain.

9. Park Geun-hye (South Korea). Accusation: Corruption and Abuse of Power

Park Geun-hye, the former president of South Korea, was impeached and later convicted of corruption charges in 2017. She was accused of accepting bribes from major businesses, including the Samsung conglomerate, and using her influence to pressure corporations to donate to foundations controlled by her close confidante, Choi Soon-sil. This scandal led to mass protests and Park’s eventual ousting from office.

10. Imelda Marcos (Philippines). Accusation: Corruption, Money Laundering, and Embezzlement

Imelda Marcos, the wife of former Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos, was convicted of corruption in 2018 after being accused of embezzling billions of dollars during her husband’s rule. She amassed a vast collection of luxury properties, jewelry, and other assets that were obtained through illicit means.