Topic: Lodestar

Former Trump campaign aide Michael Caputo suggests the anonymous New York Times op-ed was written by a high-ranking female official who views herself as a hero. The hosts speculate that CIA Director Gina Haspel is a likely candidate, citing her journalism background, military ties, and connections to the "Brennan program" at the agency.

Late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel both aired segments linking the word "lodestar" in the anonymous New York Times op-ed to Vice President Mike Pence. John C. Dvorak suggests the identical nature of the clip packages indicates they were provided by an outside source. The hosts speculate that the "lodestar" connection is a setup intended to create discord within the Trump administration.

Speculation continues regarding the identity of the anonymous New York Times op-ed author, with many pointing to Vice President Mike Pence due to the use of the word "lodestar." However, critics suggest the word may have been "planted" to frame Pence. Former New York Times editor Jill Abramson defended the publication of the piece, while an NPR host accidentally used the word "plant" instead of "place" when describing the submission.

The use of the rare word "lodestar" in the anonymous op-ed led to speculation that Vice President Mike Pence or his speechwriters were involved. The hosts suggest the essay's sophisticated structure points away from a typical bureaucrat and toward a coordinated intelligence plant. They reference "Operation Mockingbird" as a historical precedent for CIA influence in the New York Times.