Trump Ally Weaponizes Maryland's Largest Newspaper Against Democrats

The Baltimore Sun is aggressively investigating Gov. Wes Moore and other state Democrats, sources say.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 10:35am

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According to reports, the owner of The Baltimore Sun, David Smith, a longtime ally of former President Trump, has directed the newspaper to focus its resources on exposing fraud and misconduct among Democratic politicians in Maryland, including Gov. Wes Moore, who is seeking reelection and is seen as a potential 2028 presidential contender.

Why it matters

This represents a concerning trend of partisan media outlets being used to target political opponents, potentially undermining the integrity of local journalism and the democratic process in Maryland. It raises questions about the role of money and political influence in shaping media coverage.

The details

Current and former Baltimore Sun staff have told Semafor that the newspaper's new mandate is to investigate fraud and wrongdoing among Democratic politicians in the state, with a particular focus on Gov. Wes Moore. This shift in coverage is being driven by the newspaper's owner, David Smith, a longtime supporter of former President Trump.

  • The Baltimore Sun's new investigative focus on Maryland Democrats began in early 2026 as Gov. Wes Moore launched his reelection campaign.

The players

Wes Moore

The Democratic governor of Maryland who is seeking reelection and is seen as a potential 2028 presidential contender.

David Smith

The owner of The Baltimore Sun and a longtime ally of former President Trump.

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What’s next

The investigation into Gov. Wes Moore and other Maryland Democrats by The Baltimore Sun is expected to continue as the 2026 gubernatorial election approaches.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the growing concern over the politicization of local media outlets and the potential for wealthy, partisan owners to use their newspapers to target political opponents, undermining the integrity of journalism and the democratic process.