This is why we try to be selective with who donates gear. You could keep coming up with scenarios but what's the point since it's speculation. You are right when you say there has to be trust. Sponsors support the forums, so why would anybody on this end purposely sabotage their product and possibly cause their business to tank and/or pull their advertising from the site. That doesn't make any sense.
On that note, another question arises. The forums do raise money for some individuals, sources, etc. Will anybody involved, in any way please declare any possible conflicts of interest!
When a person on CNBC talks about a stock, they must disclose any possible connection.... They own it, consult for company or a competitor, etc.