To recount a fact, in this case a false allegation while noting it was false ("I think the story was"), to the best of your ability, especially without malice,

To recount a fact, in this case a false allegation while noting it was false ("I think the story was"), to the best of your ability, especially without malice, is not libel. The US standards for defamation are explained very well here https://law.stackexchange.com/a/132/11158 https://law.stackexchange.com/a/132/11158