In a move that President Donald Trump questioned as treason, a scathing anonymous op-ed was published by the New York Times. And although the piece was published almost 24 hours ago, we still know very little about the author.

The little we do know is this: If The New York Times isn’t lying (as Trump hinted), then the author is most likely a member of Trump’s administration.

Does the so-called “Senior Administration Official” really exist, or is it just the Failing New York Times with another phony source? If the GUTLESS anonymous person does indeed exist, the Times must, for National Security purposes, turn him/her over to government at once! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 5, 2018

Although the source was touted as a senior official, the paper has a history of trouble with anonymous sources.

For example, emails that contributed to an anti-fracking article were shown not to be from two analysts and a senior officer, but instead from an intern.

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Those close to the White House were quick to profess their innocence. Ben Carson, Jeff Sessions, and others took to Twitter and television cameras to show they stand with the president. This rules many senior officials out, and may have started running out the clock on the author’s anonymity.

I am not the author of the New York Times OpEd, nor do I agree with its characterizations. Hiding behind anonymity and smearing the President of the United States does not make you an "unsung hero", it makes you a coward, unworthy of serving this Nation. — Rick Perry (@SecretaryPerry) September 6, 2018

I did not write and am thoroughly appalled by this op-ed. I couldn’t be prouder of our work at Commerce and of @POTUS. https://t.co/dBlLIGK6g1 — Sec. Wilbur Ross (@SecretaryRoss) September 6, 2018

With an administration full of suspects and a paper with a loose definition of ‘senior,’ it’s been tough for anyone looking into the letter for more clues.

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One short-lived hint was the use of the word ‘he,’ which The New York Times quickly said was a mistake, and not a reflection of the author.

There is another word amateur investigators have honed in on, and it’s no mistake.

The word ‘lodestar‘ was an early hint, and seemed to indicate Vice President Mike Pence, who has since claimed his innocence. Some now think this could be either the work of a speechwriter or something meant to misdirect any possible investigation.

Pence is not the only administration member who uses the word ‘lodestar,’ either.

As Cillian Zeal, a fellow writer at Conservative Tribune, found, sitting director of the National Economic Council Larry Kudlow once penned an article called ‘Look to the Lodestars.’

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This puts Kudlow as the prime suspect for many. As of the writing of this article, he has not denied the claims. With the few clues we do have, Kudlow seems to fit the bill.

Despite no concrete leads on the letter, Trump is sure of one thing — fake news outlets will soon be out of business.

President Trump was quick to hammer CNN, The New York Times and others in front of a group of sheriffs. Hoots, cheers and applause can be heard from the law enforcement officers during his onslaught.

The Failing New York Times! pic.twitter.com/SHsXvYKpBf — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 5, 2018

The letter still remains anonymous and no one has stepped forward; the “gutless” coward who wrote it remains at large. Only time will tell if the true author is ever found.

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