No, the mistake is to make spreading misinformation profitable. We then have a vicious cycle where profits feed into politics, and so nothing is done to stop it.

I don't think it will end well.

Anyone who spreads opinions that aren't actually the views they hold should be required to have onscreen disclosures that 'the views expressed are not those held by the person expressing them'. You shouldn't be able to just grift off of things you do not believe yourself. You should be able to say those things still (free speech) you should just be compelled to have a disclaimer you do not actually believe them.