Asking for a source for breaking information that can significantly change a story should never be frowned upon. I asked, they initially admittedly provided tabloids, and then they provided legitimate sources. Lastly I thanked them for providing the source.

In cases like this, it is new information that the person clearly had recent access to so asking for the source should be extremely easy. Asking someone to waste their time verifying someone else’s claims when that claim could be complete horseshit is silly. I can’t exactly come upon a source that does not exist.