Anonymous Quote in Danny Concannon's Washington Post Article

Danny Concannon faces C.J.'s fury in the lobby over this anonymous quote slipped into his Washington Post article by an editor and unnamed junior researcher. C.J. demands the researcher's identity, suspecting Donna's involvement after her reassignment anger, while Danny defends multiple background sources and withholds names. Carol interrupts noting Donna's call, escalating the leak hunt.

1 appearances

Purpose

Conveys leaked insider claim damaging White House credibility via planted anonymous attribution in published news article

Significance

Triggers C.J.'s lobby confrontation with Danny, redirects scandal from public spin to internal staff betrayal probe targeting Donna, chains into Josh's personnel reckoning

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

1 moments

S4E15 · Inauguration Part II: Over There

C.J. Hunts the Source: Confronting Danny Over a Planted Quote

The anonymous quote functions as the immediate catalyst for the confrontation: C.J. rails against its presence in the story, and Danny attributes it to editorial insertion. The line is treated as cracked evidence that triggers an internal leak hunt and shifts the scene's stakes from messaging to personnel accountability.

Before: Published in Danny's Post article and circulating; already visible to White House staff and press.

After: Remains published and now provokes active internal investigation and interpersonal accusations within the West Wing.

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