It is literally propaganda.
> They don't just make shit up
They do, but that’s not required to be propaganda. Distortion by cherrt picking is a popular propaganda technique, for instance.
> they're not Fox News or something
No, they aren’t the popular propagands media, true. They are aimed at a different core audience.
“It’s ideologically misaligned with me, therefore it is propaganda” is really difficult for many of us to follow.
Let me guess, you think “the Jews” are behind this?
It supports "libertarian" and "rightwing" positions and is linked to Charles Koch and his late brother David.
They also fund the some of the US's Christian right-wing politicians.
So your ignorant and insulting guess is way, way off.
https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/cato-institute/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cato_Institute#Funding_details
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/23/koch-brother...