People can become "untrusted liar non-authorities" in people's minds independent of any actions of their own. The best they can do is their best, and hope not to attract the attention of demagogues.
Of course they can become untrusted regardless of what they do. But the whole question is whether you acknowledge that people also have a major impact through their actions of what people think of them.
What exactly is “doing their best”? Is it lying, trusting the end to justify the means?
What exactly is “doing their best”? Is it lying, trusting the end to justify the means?