Opinion: Don't trust anonymous news sources

The period immediately after a presidential election is a glorious moment for institutional media of all types. This instant in time allows them to race ahead with a multitude of what purports to be news, but is in actuality political posturing and news releases from those seeking appointments to positions in a new administration.

If, for instance, I would like to be secretary of defense, one of my trusted associates will contact his friend who is a reporter for the current “Paper of Record” with the information that my name is being considered for several positions in the new administration, including secretary of defense.

The Paper of Record is off and running with a scoop from an anonymous, but reliable, source.

This recently happened when Mike Pompeo and Nikki Haley were widely but briefly touted for cabinet positions with the Trump administration. Trump publicly torpedoed these ideas, thanking Mike and Nikki for their past service to the nation. This quickly led to “No Neocons Need Apply” headlines.

Whether or not that’s true, I don’t know, but I hope it is.

Advisors, counselors or confidants who currently or lately or once upon a time worked for the Trump campaign or the Trump administration or the Trump Towers are floating Plan A, B or C on how to end the war in Ukraine. News reports imply these are Trump’s plans, or Trump’s thoughts, but a careful reading will inform readers they are indeed the reveries and reflections of the aforementioned minions.

I am always amazed at how so many people are privy to Trump’s thoughts. I was married for 52 years and was never able to ascertain my wife’s thoughts.

Information on a rumored phone call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin has been provided by sources who insist on anonymity because they were unauthorized to speak on the subject. These reliable sources tell us that Trump warned Putin not to escalate and reminded him that the U.S. had forces in Europe as if Putin was unaware of the troops stationed at multiple bases in European countries.

How many people do you suppose were present at the time of the rumored phone call?

Newspapers of record frown on bloggers, social media posters and opinion writers on weekly newspapers who dare to express contradicting views articulated by their anonymous news sources.

Rube Render is a former Clovis city commissioner and former chair of the Curry County Republican Party. Contact him:

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