Overview
- Johnson recounted receiving a phone call saying the killing had occurred and, believing a speech was imminent, tweeted his May 1, 2011 message hinting at major news.
- He said a second call informed him the president had not yet gone on air, prompting his “oh s---” reaction about the premature post.
- The tweet read, “Just got word that will shock the world – Land of the free...home of the brave DAMN PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!” and preceded Obama’s televised confirmation later that night.
- Coverage notes another early public leak by Navy Reserve officer Keith Urbahn shortly before Johnson’s post, though no connection between the two has been established.
- Johnson declined to identify his informant and offered no independent verification of the source, and he brushed off a question about potential political ambitions during the interview.