After manifold public statements from Trump's White House, unanswered questions about #Michael Flynn's resignation as the national security adviser persist.
But perhaps more troubling are the two increasingly different versions of Flynn's downfall that are being explored in the media. This, as the White House is being engulfed in Russian interference claims.
Two different narratives emerging
Firstly, in the hours since #Michael Flynn stepped down from his post late Monday, two different narratives are developing.
One version, as reported in the New York Times, the Washington Post and other traditional media outlets, surrounds efforts to clarify timelines of Flynn's actions and pinpoint accountability.
These stories focus on Flynn's discussion of Russian sanctions with the Russian ambassador, and of his possibly misleading #Vice President Mike Pence.
The second narrative, reported by the more right-wing news outlets such as Breitbart, is focusing on the leaks in the White House that then put pressure on Mr. Flynn to resign, and whether these leaks were orchestrated to harm President Trump.
The first narrative holds Flynn, and others within Trump's team who had knowledge of his consultations, accountable. The latter narrative depicts Mr Flynn not as a perjurer but as a victim.
These starkly different accounts further emphasize the growing rift in American culture as reflected in the media – and in Trump's surprise election win.
Whilst a portion of the US could be getting their news from outlets such as #Breitbart, many are relying on those other traditional media outlets that have a long legacy in American history.
White House confusion over Flynn's departure
Adding more confusion and chaos to the Flynn resignation story, the White House has given differing accounts of what really happened, with a stark lack of consensus amongst Trump's team as to whether Flynn resigned or #Trump fired him.
On Monday Trump's press secretary #Sean Spicer portrayed Flynn's departure as an issue about "eroding trust" between the President and Flynn, and not a legal issue. Spicer claimed that Trump decided Flynn should resign. House Speaker Paul Ryan said the same. But these claims negate earlier statements from Trump adviser #Kelly Anne Conway, who said the move was Flynn's choosing.
Reports that Trump's team spoke to Russia rock the White House
The concern over leaks grew late on Tuesday, when the New York Times reported that Trump aides had been in repeat contact many times with #Russian officials during the election campaign.
#The White House, engulfed in these explosive claims, is scrambling to calm nerves in the Senate.
Democrats and Republicans are calling to put Flynn before Congress; with many other prominent #Senate Republicans issuing their boldest challenge to Trump yet by calling for an investigation into the matter.
#Senator Bob Corker, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee pushed for more clarity over Trump's relationship with Russia. "Let's get everything out as quickly as possible on this Russia issue," Corker told MSNBC's Morning Joe program. He explained that with all the suspicion, everybody needed to know what went on, "otherwise, maybe there's a problem that obviously goes much deeper than what we now suspect."
