The Real 007 Used Fake News to Get the U.S. into World War II

The British ran a massive and illegal propaganda operation on American soil during World War II—and the White House helped.

Overview

In the spring of 1940, British Prime Minister Winston S. Churchill was certain of one thing for his nation caught up in a fight to the death with Nazi Germany: Without American support his nation might not survive. But the vast majority of Americans—better than 80 percent by some polls—opposed joining the fight to stop Hitler. Many were even against sending any munitions, ships or weapons to the United Kingdom at all. To save his country, Churchill had not only to battle the Nazis in Europe, he had to win the war for public opinion among Americans. (Excerpt)

Why is this important?

If true – and not disinformation – the history of “fake news” operations run by the British in the U.S. during World War II was news to me. Of course, “if true” is a large caveat. Not clear who the author, “Marc Wortman,” is. Can’t seem to find a Wikipedia entry. Has apparently has written in reputable places like Vanity Fair. He seems to be obsessed with the Nazis and World War II. Having said that, The Daily Beast is one of those places that loves to count their clicks, so who knows. – Joel Garreau