The Smear

1. The Modern Smear Has Deep Historical Roots

A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.

Ancient Origins. Smears are not a modern invention but have been a part of political discourse since the earliest days of American politics. Even the Founding Fathers engaged in character assassination, with figures like Hamilton and Jefferson planting stories about each other's personal lives in partisan newspapers. The techniques may have evolved, but the underlying intent to manipulate public opinion through damaging narratives remains constant.

Wartime Propaganda. The U.S. intelligence agencies honed the art of the smear during World War II, using propaganda techniques to demoralize enemies and influence public sentiment. Figures like Joseph Goebbels perfected propaganda techniques that are still relevant today, including the use of big lies, repetition, and the targeting of hatred. The CIA also played a role, promoting the phrase "conspiracy theory" to discredit those who questioned official narratives.

The Borking Era. The modern political smear truly came into its own in 1987 with the nomination of Robert Bork to the Supreme Court. The organized and relentless character assassination that followed led to the coining of the term "borked," signifying the systematic vilification of a person to prevent their appointment to public office. This event marked a turning point, demonstrating the power of coordinated smear campaigns in shaping political outcomes.

2. The Clinton Era: A Masterclass in Smear Tactics

Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.

Alinsky's Influence. The Clintons, particularly Hillary, were adept at engineering smears to deflect from controversies, possibly influenced by Saul Alinsky's "Rules for Radicals." These tactics, including ridicule, relentless pressure, and personalizing targets, were used to marginalize political enemies and control narratives. The Clintons' smear machine, whether by accident or design, was lubricated with the oil of Alinsky’s Rules.

Bimbo Eruptions. One of the earliest smear campaigns perpetrated by the Clintons began even before Bill announced he was running for president, when Hillary was busy devising a preemptive strike against women rumored to be involved with her husband. During Bill Clinton's presidency, allegations of sexual misconduct were met with a coordinated effort to discredit the accusers, labeled as "bimbo eruptions" and subjected to the "nuts and sluts" defense. This strategy involved portraying the women as crazy or of questionable moral character to undermine their credibility.

Whitewater Wars. The Clintons also faced scrutiny over their involvement in the Whitewater scandal, leading to a coordinated effort to discredit journalists like Jeff Gerth, who reported on the controversy. The Clinton campaign went after Gerth the day the story was published. The attacks were ultimately successful in keeping him from being able to publish the many follow-ups the story begged for. This included smear campaigns, negative press releases, and attempts to control the narrative through friendly media outlets.

3. David Brock: From Right-Wing Hitman to Liberal Smear Architect

David Brock is a fascinating person to watch because he’s so entirely full of shit and so creepy. But people throw money at him.

The Transformation. David Brock's journey from a conservative journalist attacking Anita Hill to a liberal media mogul defending Hillary Clinton is one of the most perplexing tales in modern politics. After building a career on right-wing smears, Brock abruptly switched sides, bringing his expertise and tactics to the left. This transformation allowed him to become a central figure in the liberal smear movement.

Media Matters Empire. Brock founded Media Matters for America, a "media watchdog" group that quickly became a powerful force in shaping the news narrative. Media Matters has proven potent and effective. It whirs, clanks, and chugs away, creating the false impression of overwhelming support for or against an idea, candidate, or person. It has successfully led campaigns to saturate the Web, social media, and news landscape in a way that directs and dominates the narrative.

The Brock Playbook. Brock's success lies in his ability to integrate Media Matters into the mainstream news culture, influencing the kinds of stories that are told and journalists' willingness to critique the left. He has also built a vast network of related groups, each with a specific purpose in advancing the liberal agenda, from training progressive pundits to conducting opposition research.

4. The Smear Industrial Complex: A Lucrative and Pervasive Force

The best smear artists are sociopaths without conscience, without regret.

A Multibillion-Dollar Industry. The smear business is a massive enterprise, employing tens of thousands of people and generating billions of dollars in revenue. It encompasses a wide range of players, including PR firms, super PACs, dark money groups, and think tanks, all working to shape public opinion and advance specific agendas. The smear business is interminable and eminently profitable. It’s silently turned into one of the largest white-collar industries in Washington, D.C.

Key Tactics. Smear artists employ a range of tactics, including mining and pumping information, connecting with influential media figures, and deploying carefully crafted narratives to discredit their targets. They exploit the weaknesses of the news media, using friendly reporters and strategic leaks to control the flow of information.

The Sociopathic Smear Artist. The most effective smear artists are often those who can suspend all pretense of fairness and logic, rewriting facts and twisting narratives to fit their agenda. They are driven by passion, ideology, and money, and are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals.

5. Astroturfing: Manufacturing the Illusion of Grassroots Support

We’re living amid an artificial reality, persuaded to believe it’s real by astroturf engineered to look like grassroots.

The Art of Deception. Astroturfing is a technique used to create the illusion of widespread public support for a particular cause or agenda. It involves disguising the true source of the message and making it appear as if it's coming from ordinary citizens. Success of the paid forces hinges on their ability to remain virtually invisible. To disguise what they do and make it seem as if their work is neither calculated nor scripted. It must appear to be precisely what it is not.

Social Media as a Weapon. Social media has become a powerful tool for astroturfing, allowing operatives to create fake accounts and spread misinformation on a wide scale. These accounts can be used to start rumors, harass targets, and manipulate public opinion.

The Power of Plausible Deniability. Astroturf campaigns are most effective when the public is unaware of the manipulation. By maintaining a veil of secrecy, operatives can create the false impression of overwhelming support for or against an idea, candidate, or person.

6. Transactional Journalism: When Objectivity Takes a Backseat

We in the news media have allowed ourselves to become co-opted by political, corporate, and other special interests.

The Erosion of Trust. Transactional journalism refers to the mutually beneficial relationships that have developed between reporters and those they cover, often blurring the lines between objectivity and advocacy. This has led to a decline in public trust in the news media, as outlets are increasingly seen as serving the interests of powerful elites.

The Handout Chain. In this environment, reporters may offer favorable treatment in exchange for getting a "scoop," or agree to let interview subjects dictate terms. This creates a system where those with the most power and influence are able to control the narrative, while independent reporting is marginalized.

The Rise of the Smear Merchant. The disturbing dominance of this “transactional journalism” has further opened the floodgate to clandestine collusion between reporters and special interests. As a result, it can be impossible to separate fact from fiction. Even self-proclaimed truth-tellers and fact-checkers have been co-opted.

7. The 2016 Election: A Smear Campaign on Steroids

Assisted by ideologues, shady political operatives, and dark Internet outfits seeking moneymaking clicks, Campaign 2016 shatters all records in the smear department.

Trump as the Anti-Smear Candidate. The 2016 election was a watershed moment for the smear industry, with both sides engaging in unprecedented levels of character assassination and misinformation. Donald Trump, however, defied conventional wisdom by embracing the attacks and using them to his advantage.

The Media as the Opposition. The news media, particularly on the left, became a vocal and active opponent of Trump, often abandoning any pretense of objectivity. This created a highly polarized environment where it was difficult to separate fact from fiction.

The Power of Authenticity. Despite the relentless attacks, Trump's supporters remained loyal, viewing him as an outsider who was willing to challenge the establishment and speak his mind. This authenticity, combined with his mastery of social media, allowed him to connect with voters in a way that traditional politicians could not.

8. Fake News: The Ultimate Weapon in the Smear Arsenal

Nothing is more exemplary of these efforts than the sudden frenzy over fake news.

The New Battleground. In the aftermath of the 2016 election, the term "fake news" emerged as a central focus of political and media discourse. Both sides accused each other of spreading misinformation, leading to a battle over the definition and control of the narrative.

The Weaponization of Information. Fake news has become a powerful tool for smear artists, allowing them to create and disseminate false stories that can quickly go viral through social media. This has made it increasingly difficult to separate fact from fiction and has further eroded public trust in the news media.

The Need for Critical Thinking. In this environment, it is more important than ever for individuals to develop critical thinking skills and to be able to evaluate information from a variety of sources. By becoming more discerning consumers of news, we can resist the influence of smears and make informed decisions about the world around us.

Last updated: March 31, 2025