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Earlier today, The New York Times published a bombshell Op-Ed from a senior official in the Trump administration in which the unknown person gives a disturbing account of a White House in complete disarray run by an absurdly incompetent president.
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The writer claims that Trump’s aides are essentially running his presidency for him, steering him away from policies they don’t like or withholding information from him if they anticipate it will lead to an undesirable result. It admits to the existence of a de facto shadow government in charge of the country.
“The dilemma — which he does not fully grasp — is that many of the senior officials in his own administration are working diligently from within to frustrate parts of his agenda and his worst inclinations,” the piece states.
The internet immediately erupted in speculation, as curious minds combed through the Op-Ed for some hint as to the mystery’s rights identity.
Twitter user @danbl00m seems to have landed on the most compelling possibility so far. He points out that the anonymous writer could be Vice President Mike Pence. The editorial uses the uncommon words “lodestar” which Dan Bloom points out is one of Pence’s favorite words. It pops up in numerous of his public speeches. Bloom penned a rundown of his theory.
The @nytimes just published an anonymous op-ed from a "senior administration official." I'd like to posit a guess as to who wrote it. Getting my @ashleyfeinberg on began with a single word that jumped out at me… https://t.co/ajS2JI8WH2
— Dan downLODESTAR Bloom (@danbl00m) September 5, 2018
The word is "LODESTAR." Note that it comes in the same paragraph praising John McCain. That would rule out flame-throwers like Stephen Miller and Dan Scavino and suggest someone with Senate ties. This reveal is not going to take long. pic.twitter.com/NwnUtvFlko
— Dan downLODESTAR Bloom (@danbl00m) September 5, 2018
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"Lodestar" just seems like an unusual word to use in general, not to mention in an op-ed that's going to be widely read. It has this whiff of sanctimony. So I search for John Kelly and James Mattis ever having used the word "lodestar." Nothing. But then…
— Dan downLODESTAR Bloom (@danbl00m) September 5, 2018
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…an example pops up of Vice President Mike Pence using the word "lodestar" in a speech at the UN in September 2017. https://t.co/CI1PUzDUdA pic.twitter.com/OrOYrFgP0M
— Dan downLODESTAR Bloom (@danbl00m) September 5, 2018
Two months later, Vice President Mike Pence speaks at the Jack Kemp Leadership Award Dinner. He drops "lodestar" again.https://t.co/DwLGEIJd4J pic.twitter.com/B1kQIb6viF
— Dan downLODESTAR Bloom (@danbl00m) September 5, 2018
Two more months later (like clockwork,) February 2018. Vice President Mike Pence speaking in Tokyo, alongside Japanese PM Shinzo Abe. Place your bets… another "lodestar." https://t.co/OGIWVf2QxV pic.twitter.com/88vJJfVamM
— Dan downLODESTAR Bloom (@danbl00m) September 5, 2018
Lest you believe Pence's "lodestar" proclivities began with his Vice Presidency, enjoy this little ditty from 2011. https://t.co/hJyO0CvM8w pic.twitter.com/yDxq7LElPd
— Dan downLODESTAR Bloom (@danbl00m) September 5, 2018
And lo, as I have shown in my previous tweets, peaches and nectarines are absolutely delicious, and Vice President Mike Pence really likes using the word "lodestar" in his writing. In fact, one might call it his…
— Dan downLODESTAR Bloom (@danbl00m) September 5, 2018
A few questions that folks have raised: 1) What about Pence's speechwriter? Stephen Ford has been with Pence since 2017. The earliest Pence usage of #lodestar we have so far is 2001, found by @prufrock451 along with a bunch of other instances: https://t.co/mfFWzz2f85
— Dan downLODESTAR Bloom (@danbl00m) September 5, 2018
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2) The Times piece begins with a disclaimer that describes the author as: "a senior official in the Trump administration whose identity is known to us and whose job would be jeopardized by its disclosure." Pence is basically the only WH employee that cannot be fired, but…
— Dan downLODESTAR Bloom (@danbl00m) September 5, 2018
as i read it, the language "job would be jeopardized" is rather broad. Even if Vice President Mike Pence can't be fired, if this were to go public, Pence's influence and effectiveness would certainly be jeopardized.
— Dan downLODESTAR Bloom (@danbl00m) September 5, 2018
3) This is important: I could be totally wrong. This is a speculative, unconfirmed theory (based on words that came out of Vice President Mike Pence's mouth,) but keep your skepticism & critical thinking in tact. As @yosoysterling9 & @guypbenson point out: https://t.co/QK3Nl6mRsV
— Dan downLODESTAR Bloom (@danbl00m) September 5, 2018
Buzzfeed’s David Mack shared a helpful compilation of Pence repeatedly using the idiosyncratic word “lodestar.” While it’s certainly not conclusive, it’s a suspicious coincidence. Perhaps Pence is laying the groundwork to distance himself from Trump and stake his own claim to the presidency.
"lodestar" (h/t @danbl00m) pic.twitter.com/SqKFlBTR0f
— David Mack (@davidmackau) September 5, 2018
