Ah, the infamous “Tinder Swindler” strikes again! Recently settled with an Israeli billionaire’s family after being exposed for impersonating a member of their clan to exploit unsuspecting women on dating apps. Now, let’s talk about the coverage—or lack thereof—surrounding this story. Just how far will corporate media go to soften the blow for a swindler who literally made a career out of deceit?

Take CNN, for instance. They’d have you believe this is a cautionary tale of the perils of online dating, while glossing over the fact that this guy exploited social status and wealth dynamics for personal gain. They want to keep the focus on “catfishing” instead of delving into the disgusting truths of privilege and manipulation. Meanwhile, Fox News might be tempted to sensationalize this as a story of “feminine victimhood,” but in doing so, they’d ignore the agency of these women in their choices. Where’s the accountability for all involved?

This entire saga is a perfect microcosm of society’s obsession with victim vs. villain narratives. It’s cheap, it’s messy, and frankly, it’s infuriating that both sides of the media spectrum are missing the point. Behind the clickbait headlines lies a significant societal issue: the interplay of trust, deception, and wealth. If only media outlets would dare to address the ugly truths instead of peddling their sanitized, palatable versions of the story.