that’s a bit of silly wordsmithing. you are technically right in the general case, but in this case we can indeed infer bad intentions. one doesn’t need to imagine good or bad intentions, one can simply look at the facts in the ground (even at the time, not later in hindsight).

he was preying on people’s naivete and admitted as much.

I basically don't agree - I think mocking deliberate vulnerability (and people trusting you) shows poor character.

It's the whole punching up, not down, thing.