This study explores public trust in Grok, an AI fact-checking tool on X (Twitter), during the 2025 Pakistan-India war. Using Media Dependency Theory, it examines how Grok shaped trust, fact-checking behavior, and perceptions of journalistic authority. A mixed-methods survey of 380 respondents measured trust, dependency, and views on AI’s role in crisis reporting. Findings show moderately high trust in Grok, moderate trust in journalists, and a perception that Grok was more reliable during the conflict. However, most participants favored human-AI collaboration over replacing reporters. Dependency on Grok was moderate and positively linked to trust. While respondents feared misinformation, they still valued AI for verification. Overall, the study suggests AI will not replace journalism but is becoming a parallel authority, influencing how audiences navigate uncertainty in conflict situations.