Did White House threaten S&P to keep AAA rating? Update: Downgraded anyway to AA+

Standard & Poor didn't miss trillions! but it called off  postponed the downgrade. They put in time and research.  The US numbers are all public.   The White House, Chicago-style, pushed back on how to spin the numbers.  Zero Hedge points out that S&P gets its NRSRO license to operate from the government.   If the government knows best, there's no need for credit-rating agencies.  Cliff hanger reporting of the rumor's progress and crash here.  CNN confirms that S&P gave notice to the White House Friday afternoon that it planned a downgrade.    The Chinese rating agency has already made the downgrade and so has Egan-Jones (the only US rating agency financed by investors instead of by debt-issuers).   US institutions that are restricted to AAA securities have to divest if 2 of the 3 big names in the US lower the rating.

Who will be the first to mention it?
Answer: S&P says the Emperor
isn't wearing any socks.

UPDATE:  AA+  (one notch lower) Outlook "negative".