Theguardian: Claude Taylor and Louise mensch were getting info from a hoaxer

[Matty]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/aug/28/trump-tweets-hoax-louise-mensch-claude-taylor

[Statilius the Epicurean]

The least shocking news of all time.

[Yank2133]

Grifters going grift.

[Matty]

Claude Taylor confirms the story is true and apologizes

Mensch denied story

[KingSweden]

The least shocking news of all time.

[Devout Centrist]

*gasp*

[AtorBoltox]

Difference between the left and right is no one on the left believed them while the right laps every conspiracy theory against their opponents

[Matty]

Difference between the left and right is no one on the left believed them while the right laps every conspiracy theory against their opponents

Both had hundreds of thousands of twitter followers

[SNJ1985]

Difference between the left and right is no one on the left believed them while the right laps every conspiracy theory against their opponents

The Guardian (a very left-leaning publication) says right in the article that the two have ''large followings among Trump critics''.

[The Other Castro]

Wait so the Marshal of the Supreme Court isn't secretly installing Orrin Hatch into the presidency? Damn.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

I'm still convinced Mensch and Rick Wilson are banging.

[pbrower2a]

Journalists are not at fault for stories that prove later to be hoaxes when the hoax comes from someone who seems like a reliable source. It is possible to be hoaxed  even if a journalist goes along with the usual standard of seeking two sources -- if the two sources are in on a conspiracy to deceive and have shown no sign of being in collusion.

The temptation to get a scoop is an overpowering one for which every journalist and every publisher is vulnerable. But Taylor and Mensch did was right, retracting a story as soon as it proved a sophisticated fabrication.