Propaganda works. We have alleged Freepers who insist that Trump is guilty of a hundred or so crimes since surely the DOJ wouldn't bring false charges. TV said so.
One of the challenges we’ve got is that a vast number of older adults grew up in a world quite different from the one we’re in now. Journalism, decades back, was not (generally speaking...) naked propaganda 24/7. Many of us boomers still hang onto the antiquated notions of the past, putting faith and trust in those who are undeserving of it. The idea that a popular journalist would outright lie to and otherwise constantly deceive us is not readily accepted by many. Yet here we are.