Semafor Uncovers How Trump Ally, Sinclair Owner, David Smith Is Personally “Ideologically Reshaping” The Baltimore Sun

Sinclair Hired Former Republican Party Officials To Masquerade As Reporters to Advance David Smith’s Ideological Goals

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Last night, Semafor dropped a bombshell article showing how Trump donor and ally, billionaire David Smith is personally involved in “ideologically reshaping” the Baltimore Sun. In the past several months, the Sun has hired an investigative team that seems primarily focused on targeting Maryland Democrats–the team includes a “reporter” who is a  former Vice Chair of the Maryland Republican Party.

“I don’t know how Fox 45 and the Baltimore Sun can claim their reporters are independent and their news has no bias when they’re hiring former Maryland Republican Party officials, and reporters on their team are actively hosting events and fundraisers for the Maryland Republican Party,” said Maryland Democratic Party Chairman Steuart Pittman. “Marylanders deserve reporting that is fair and accurate, but are receiving neither from the right wing David Smith propaganda machine. Smith failed in his effort to dupe the voters of Baltimore City in 2024, and will fail statewide in 2026. Marylanders are smarter than he thinks.”

In their article, Semafor notes that “Smith’s purchase of the Sun is part of a larger wave of powerful individuals scooping up iconic American news brands and reshaping them ideologically.” They also write that “Smith’s efforts at the Sun go further” than what others have done after purchasing news stations or newspapers.

Max Tani also points out that when reading through the comment requests and inquiries sent by the Spotlight on Maryland team to Governor Moore’s office that “it was hard not to see that the probe went beyond the normal course of asking questions to reveal new information. The messages were laden with contempt, and at points directly threatened Moore with military disciplinary action.”

When one of the Baltimore Sun’s own reporters criticized the organization for their actions and publishing full stories in the paper from FOX 45 reporters David Smith responded by firing them.

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