a writer ivanka is. >> reporter: a senior member could include hundreds of people. for the "new york times" to publish it it is almost certainly one of the top tier officials. the editor offering few clues but saying the official made contact through an intermediateiary. >> i did have direct communication with the writer. due to background checking and based on conversations came away feeling totally confident that this was truly the official in the trump administration that they claim they were. >> the times saying the author is a man and later clarifying they aren't specifying. could it be dan coats or defense secretary james mattis? one by one they and other of the administration's most senior officials have issued denials. >> it's not mine. >> reporter: that hasn't stopped the arm chair analysts, many