An intentionally false statement from an authority on a current event of extreme importance, no matter how noble, is extremely counterproductive, even if we lea

An intentionally false statement from an authority on a current event of extreme importance, no matter how noble, is extremely counterproductive, even if we leave aside moral aspects. Indeed, it will cause further statements from the authority be perceived by the public as another potential lie. Since this seems very obvious to me, I can not believe it was a "white lie".