Rick Sklar described this in Rockin’ America as “one of the greatest stings ever pulled off in radio.” The news department of low-rated WMGM “consisted of a group of former soap opera announcers and fairly unsophisticated writers who had been dubbed the WMGM Minute Men.”

“The big story breaking that sunny Wednesday morning of May 28, 1958 had a Paris dateline. France was in turmoil; the government was collapsing. For days, rumors had been sweeping the capital that Charles de Gaulle, World War II hero and the liberator of Paris, would seize power and take over the reins of the republic . . . The news editors at WMGM decided to try for a big scoop. . . They would go right to the source. They would call Paris and ask General de Gaulle if he was about to seize power. Not only would they make the call, but they would do it live, on the air. . .
Having decided on a strategy that most seasoned reporters would regard as extremely naïve, they moved one step closer toward disaster and actually broadcast over the radio what they were planning to do. . . (Newscaster) Bill Edmunds led into the (10:30 am) newscast with the story:

‘French President Coty is conferring with political leaders. . . A new goverment may be created today with General de Gaulle at the helm, and WMGM has a call in, long distance, overseas to General de Gaulle to bring you a direct interview with the general, and as soon as that call is completed, we’ll put that call and the interview right on the air. So stay tuned for firsthand information from France.’
The newscast was also being monitored by competitors. Across town, the WINS newsroom staff was incredulous. They knew there was no way WMGM could deliver de Gaulle. . .”
Sklar credited WINS news director Tom O’Brien with this prank. O’Brien was later VP of ABC news and head of Mutual news.