By Jen Heger - Breaking Celebrity News Assistant Managing Editor

Social media erupted Tuesday night during ABC's coverage of the presidential election with speculation that Diane Sawyer was drunk because of her slurred speech, but Breaking Celebrity News has exclusively learned that the respected journalist was simply exhausted from a grueling work schedule.

"For anyone to suggest that Diane Sawyer was drunk on the air just doesn't know her," a source close to the situation tells Breaking Celebrity News. "To be very clear, she absolutely wasn't drunk, but she was extremely tired from an exhausting work schedule. Diane often jokes that she doesn't need a lot of sleep and is always extremely professional. She worked all weekend preparing for the election and covering the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

"Diane worked longer than normal hours last week because of the storm. On Monday, against the advice of her bosses, Diane was adamant that she take part in the kick-off of ABC's telethon to raise funds for victims on Good Morning America. Diane doesn't know the meaning of rest and she can't stay away from breaking news, it's just in her blood. What viewers saw on the air last night was just Diane a little bit off of her game because she is exhausted. She needs a vacation, but probably won't take one for a while."

As Breaking Celebrity News previously reported, Sawyer's announcement that President Barack Obama had won Minnesota at