NPR Reporter Nina Totenberg Prematurely Reports Alito Retirement Amid Leak Suspicions

What was said

"NPR doesn't just hit publish without any verification. But to say on Friday is very specific because the story literally said Justice Alito retires on Friday. The minute after the NPR story broke, Speaker Mike Johnson's office sent out talking points saying thank you, Justice Alito. They had talking points pre-written. I think Alito told Nina Totenberg I'm retiring and I'm doing it on Friday. She then accidentally maybe misheard or whatever and put it out early."

Aaron Barnes suggested veteran NPR Supreme Court reporter Nina Totenberg broke an embargo rather than made a reporting error when she published that Justice Alito was retiring on Friday. Barnes noted Speaker Mike Johnson's office immediately distributed pre-written talking points thanking Alito, indicating advance knowledge. Totenberg, who has covered the Court for 50 years, issued an apology but never said her reporting was wrong, only that she was sorry, fueling speculation about whether Alito's retirement is still planned.