The court documents connected to the indictment of Trump adviser Roger Stone focus on the lies that Stone told investigators about his communications with both the campaign and WikiLeaks, and on his efforts to obstruct the investigation by tampering with a witness. But not so hidden within the document is a hint that possibly the biggest media myth of the entire campaign—the idea that Hillary Clinton was seriously ill—emerged directly as an effort to support what Stone had learned about upcoming WikiLeaks releases, and may have actually originated with WikiLeaks, or with the Russian operation behind WikiLeaks.

The critical exchange occurs in a series of communications between Stone and his associate, right-wing conspiracy theorist and media figure Jerome Corsi.

On July 25, 2016, Stone emails Corsi telling him to go to Assange at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London and find out what’s in upcoming emails. A week later, Stone emails Corsi again, recommending that Trump adviser Ted Malloch also meet with Assange. On Aug. 2, Corsi replies to Stone that he’s been in contact with Assange and that “Friend in embassy plans two more dumps. One shortly after I’m back [from Europe]. 2nd in Oct. Impact planned to be very damaging.” But Corsi doesn’t stop with just letting Assange know what’s in the next batch of emails. He includes a proposed strategy designed to bolster the impact of that release.

Corsi: Would not hurt to start suggesting HRC old, memory bad, has stroke — neither [Bill] nor she well. I expect that much of next dump focus, setting stage for [Clinton] Foundation debacle.

The “sick Hillary” strategy was absorbed and acted on very quickly by both the Trump campaign and the right-wing media. Four days after the email between Corsi and Stone, Donald Trump seized on a chance remark by Hillary Clinton.

x Crooked Hillary said loudly, and for the world to see, that she "SHORT CIRCUITED" when answering a question on her e-mails. Very dangerous! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 6, 2016

Trump tweeted about the subject frequently from that point, including finishing Aug. 6 by claiming that Clinton is “not fit” to be president.

On Aug. 8, six days after the Corsi–Stone emails, Sean Hannity launched an entire week of shows dedicated to “Fox News Medical A-Team” coverage of Hillary Clinton’s health.