In tried and true Trumpworld fashion, a crazy Trump idea (in this case, forcing his campaign staff to hire Loomer for an unknown role) was floated to a journalist he trusts (as always, Maggie Haberman) at an outlet he loves reading (in this instance, the New York Times).

Just like a Chinese spy balloon, Trump’s idea was shot down, but not until after the damage was done. The backlash to the Times story was substantial — and Loomer’s friends and foes alike aired plenty of dirty laundry. Jonathan Swan, who cowrote the original story with Haberman, said that “the level of blowback that is said to have come at Trump from allies and advisors after this story published is stronger than for any potential staff appointment I can recall.”

As with most Trump dramas, the story didn’t end there.