In 1995 Stephen Glass was a writer for The New Republic, longing for an article that would jumpstart Glass' career. Felix Rizzoli was apart of the State department's policy planning staff, and a trusted advisor of Clinton's. Rizzoli had been portrayed as an "egghead," and thus unpopular in the media. However, Rizzoli's image quickly changed from being viewed as an "egghead" to being viewed as smart, and competent. During the period of popularity, Glass wanted to write an article on Rizzoli that would completely ruin Rizzoli's new image. Glass' goal was to change Rizzoli's image of being smart to being a bully. Glass had gone to high school with Rizzoli and was able to recall an incident that occurred between Glass and Rizzoli. Rizzoli, along with friends, had played a brutal game of dodgeball against Glass, who had not been athletic in high school.
This honest memory was proof of Glass' bully theory, but it was not enough. Glass needed more information, and more facts if the story was to run. Glass asked anyone who could help provide more stories that would prove how mean Rizzoli was. Glass asked past teachers, fellow students, Glass' parents, and Glass' brother if they remembered anything. However, the answer was always the same; no. Glass was terrified of what would happen if the story Glass promised to run did not, so Glass came up with a solution.
Glass decided to combine the truth and mix it with minor lies or "white lies." The untrue fact Glass had written was a detailed account where Rizzoli cheated off of Glass' paper. This event that Glass put in the article was indeed false, but was strong enough to demote Rizzoli once the story was run. In addition, the story had given Glass the desired recognition and encouraged Glass to continue using "white lies" in articles.