‘Update’ of the Day: Chief Justice John Roberts to Remain Chief Justice

Earlier today, Radaronline.com — once the online arm of now-defunct New York print mag Radar and now a tabloid-style gossip factory — got its mitts on an unbelievable scoop: Chief Justice John Roberts was considering stepping down.

Turns out, that scoop was so unbelievable mainly because it wasn’t really true. As a result, “EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts Considering Stepping Down” required significant revision. And as everyone in online journalism knows, “updates” are the new corrections/retractions:

Update: RadarOnline.com has obtained new information that Justice Roberts will NOT resign. The justice will be staying on the bench.

The initial exclusive report:

John Roberts … is seriously considering stepping down from the nation’s highest court for personal reasons, RadarOnline.com has learned exclusively.

Another assertion actually is true, because it is self-evident:

RadarOnline.com has been told that Roberts, 55, could announce his decision at any time.

Thanks to The Awl for the point.

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