He's not a moron, but he's extremely egotistical, and arrogant. That's his weak spot. That's how he can be manipulated. If you stroke the ego of someone that egotistical their head becomes full of pride instead of full of thinking. When you tell them that'll go down in history as a savior that means life goal is within reach so they become consumed, and frankly blinded by that prospect.

He might be complicit though.ni wouldn't rule that out.