So it is now Established Fact that Smith provided proof of his trip.
Just like the legend of Maya's COLB. Or the completely fabricated rumors of a half-brother and half-sister who claimed he was born in Kenya. Or the April Fool's application for foreign student aid.
My personal favorite is still "Obama said he wants to change the National Anthem to 'I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing'." That story originated in a satire column (by a columnist who posts here at FR sometimes), as a joke. But later on, you not only had people claiming that it was real, you can find people who swear they saw him say it on TV. They have created memories of a non-existent event, and no amount of source evidence will persuade them that they're wrong.
Stuff like that is actually forgivable. What isn’t is when the governor of Hawaii says her state put out a news release saying Obama was born in Kapiolani Hospital or when newspapers say that the DOH says Obama’s alleged COLB is real. These are supposably legit sources fabricating non-existent events. Do you suppose that’s the case for Obama’s wife saying that Kenya is his home country??
A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its boots.
— Mark Twain...