> There are things in that article that are really a long way beyond having been deceived

I don't believe so. Can you explain exactly how it is impossible he is deceived?

> They cannot and must not be minimised in that way.

Why not? To me what I described is what fits 100%. You just asserting that is the case hasn't explained why I might be incorrect.

You clearly haven't taken what I've explained to you on board at all. I suggest you bother checking out any of how this occurs in any other conspiracy circles, e.g., UFOs or just watching something that promotes conspiracy theories, such as Hunting Hitler (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5248878/). It's the same mechanism, just a different form.

> And nobody who criticises them should feel any blame if he doubles down; he is a wealthy privileged white man who is solely responsible for the things he says.

I am not saying people should feel blame for criticising him. I am saying that should be blamed for brow-beating him.

Are you telling me he cannot be deceived because he is wealthy? Plenty of wealthy and privileged people are/have been deceived.