Contrary to any speculation that Trump was somehow behind this, all evidence points to the Rubio crowd who tried to pull the story back once they became the #never crowd.
Once the story started circulating, there was no pulling it back. Breitbart has something to answer for.
This story wouldn't have gotten out til the General if they had their way.
I prefer the: “Trump the Mastermind was behind it all” theory. But you are obviously correct. Rubio team was teasing this around March 11-14th.