Truth (2014) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

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1. 1

   Investigation kicks off for Bush National Guard records

   Months before the 2004 US election, Mapes and her team seek evidence to verify Bush's military record. They pursue leads and begin assembling documents and testimonies to support a potential story. The effort sets the stage for a high-stakes investigative report.

   When

   Months before the 2004 US presidential election

   Where

   CBS News HQ / New York

2. 2

   Burkett introduces documents suggesting Bush did not serve normally

   Bill Burkett tells Mapes he possesses memos and letters about Bush's National Guard service. The team weighs the possibility that these documents could substantiate a breach of duty. They start vetting the materials and looking for corroboration.

   When

   Months before the election

   Where

   CBS News / Burkett interview

3. 3

   Ben Barnes provides a separate lead on access to the Guard

   Former Texas Lieutenant Governor Ben Barnes confirms he used influence to help Bush join the Guard. The claim adds political intrigue and potential leverage for the story. Mapes and crew consider this lead alongside Burkett's documents.

   When

   Months before the election

   Where

   Texas / Barnes interview

4. 4

   60 Minutes airs the story on Bush's National Guard

   Mapes produces the story and Dan Rather reports it on 60 Minutes. The segment presents the memos as supporting evidence and frames the allegations as significant questions about Bush's service. The broadcast triggers immediate attention and public debate.

   When

   Air date before the election

   Where

   CBS News / 60 Minutes

5. 5

   Aftermath questions cast doubt on the segment's accuracy

   After the airing, questions about the segment's accuracy begin to surface. The authenticity of the documents is challenged by critics and media outlets. CBS faces pressure to defend or retract the report.

   When

   Immediately after air

   Where

   CBS News / public reaction

6. 6

   Experts flag the memos as inconsistent with 1970s typewriters

   Analysts point out that the memos' font and spacing resemble Microsoft Word rather than early 1970s typewriters. The discrepancy fuels doubts about when and how the documents were created. The credibility of the central evidence is cast into serious doubt.

   When

   Following initial scrutiny

   Where

   Investigation office

7. 7

   Burkett confesses he lied about the source

   Burkett admits he lied about where he obtained the documents. The admission undermines the foundation of the story and raises questions about the team's sourcing. The episode shifts from investigative reporting to a crisis of credibility and ethics.

   When

   After authenticity doubts

   Where

   Newsroom / press conference

8. 8

   Killian documents are challenged by Hodges

   Killian's supposed documents come under renewed scrutiny when Bobby Hodges recants earlier statements claiming authenticity. Hodges refuses to discuss the truth behind the documents. The investigation pivots to the process and whether procedures were properly followed.

   When

   During internal review

   Where

   CBS News / interview

9. 9

   Dan Rather apologizes for presenting material as fact

   Rather publicly apologizes for presenting the material as fact rather than as unverified material. The apology signals accountability and a turning point in the crisis. Viewers see a veteran anchor acknowledge the error and the toll of the controversy.

   When

   During investigation

   Where

   CBS News / on-air

10. 10

    Internal review panel initiates a bias and authenticity inquiry

    An internal review panel is convened to examine potential political bias and the authenticity of the Killian documents. Staff are questioned, and the episode's vetting process is scrutinized. The focus centers on whether proper verification was performed before airing.

    When

    After air and ongoing

    Where

    CBS News Center

11. 11

    Crew members are disciplined and removed from their posts

    Mike Smith, Lucy Scott, and Colonel Roger Charles are banned from their work and fired. Smith rants in the office before being escorted out, illustrating the emotional toll of the scandal. The newsroom faces structural consequences as a result of the inquiry.

    When

    Following internal review sessions

    Where

    CBS News / newsroom

12. 12

    Rather retires and Mapes is fired

    Dan Rather retires from broadcasting after the hearings, and Mary Mapes is fired. The central figures of the story exit the scene as the network grapples with credibility. The consequence underscores the personal cost of the investigative effort.

    When

    After the hearings

    Where

    CBS News / newsroom

13. 13

    End credits note resignations and firings

    The end credits state that Mapes was fired and four executives resigned in the wake of the controversy. The film emphasizes the organizational fallout and the price of journalistic risk. It frames accountability as part of a larger corporate response.

    When

    End of film timeline

    Where

    End credits

14. 14

    CBS wins a Peabody Award for Abu Ghraib documentary

    The closing frames note that CBS won a Peabody Award for Mapes' earlier Abu Ghraib documentary, underscoring that strong journalism persists despite scandal. The contrast highlights the complexity of evaluating truth and ethics across different reports. The film ends by reflecting on the network's broader legacy.

    When

    End credits

    Where

    End credits