Semafor

The reporting we cite

3 stories, each opening at its source.

• Semafor — 'Paid actors, AI writing: how a new kind of video business cashed in on America's divided politics' (Sept 2, 2026)
• Smith’s involvement in Sun coverage of Gov. Wes Moore · Semafor, April 2026
• Paramount weighs tapping Musk for equity investment — Semafor, Sept. 23, 2026

Where their work appears on this site

• Division for Hire →
• The Ellison Press →
• Media Ownership →
• Sowing Division →

How we graded the claims built on their work

6 FACT · 1 PROBABLY TRUE. A grade is our reading of the public record on one claim, not a verdict on the person.

1. One operator runs a network of fake news channels read by paid actors from AI scripts.

   FACT
   Division for Hire →

2. Sinclair Broadcasting: ‘dangerous to democracy’

   FACT
   Media Ownership →

3. The channels pose as independent news hosts. The hosts are paid spokespeople.

   FACT
   Division for Hire →

4. The content skews to manufactured anger at Democratic politicians — and it travels.

   FACT
   Division for Hire →

5. The loop closes: Ellison bankrolled Musk's Twitter takeover — now Paramount is reportedly weighing a Musk check for the Warner deal.

   PROBABLY TRUE
   The Ellison Press →

6. The operator says the quiet part out loud — and denies working for any campaign.

   FACT
   Division for Hire →

7. When an anti-Trump persona didn't sell, they flipped it.

   FACT
   Division for Hire →