I think you are misunderstanding. It doesn't matter if you and I believe it. It is likely Trump supporters will believe this narrative.

The fact that you are using these terms to describe the article also are a clue. Forget the writer. The writer is sourcing corporate media sources not making stuff up. His conclusions are his, but the stories are not from fringe sources.

Its a mess. I don't want it to be intentional or anything like that. At best it is utter incompetence. That isn't good either.