Clarence Thomas says trips paid for by billionaire were 'personal hospitality,' not business
NBCNov 29, 2022
The Facts
US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas failed to disclose decades of luxury trips gifted by Republican megadonor Harlan Crow, according to a new ProPublica report published on Thursday.
Over the years, the trips have included international island-hopping, superyacht excursions, private jet travel, and yearly retreats to a luxury resort. Just one of those trips alone, a nine-day stint in Indonesia, is estimated to have been worth more than $500K.
The Spin
Democratic narrative
The revelations of this ProPublica report are truly shocking. Thomas's lifestyle was being subsidized by Crow with luxury trips that ordinary Americans can barely conceive of. Thomas has significantly corroded public trust by not disclosing these trips, as required by law. Democrats must act to restore this trust and ensure that this type of major ethical transgression doesn't happen again.
Republican narrative
Thomas made a mistake by not reporting the trips he was taking with his long-time family friend, but it's not the major sin that the Left is making it out to be. It was simply a mistake. Thomas can amend his financial reports and we can all move on. The purpose of the financial disclosure law is to inform the public about possible conflicts of interest — in this case, there are no conflicts of interest, as there have not been any cases before the Supreme Court by Crow or his firm since Thomas joined.