# Clarence Thomas secretly accepted luxury vacations from GOP donor without disclosing **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [April 6, 2023, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252 "2023-04-06T14:10:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2023, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/61 "2023-04-07T21:29:47Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > > [@carrps](#): > > > > I had a brain fart and couldn’t figure out RvW. All I could come up with was Rip van Winkle. > > > > Duh! The coffee kicks in… ⁢ > > Meh, I could/should have typed it out, but I was just shy of seething with rage between this, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, so I didn’t bother. Don’t type angry. I’ve mostly seen it abbreviated as just _Roe._ ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2023, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/62 "2023-04-07T21:39:20Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > Meh, I could/should have typed it out, but I was just shy of seething with rage between this, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, so I didn’t bother. Don’t type angry. Maybe a hijack…what happened in Wisconsin? Last I saw the liberal supreme court justice won. What did I miss? (Please be brief if this is a hijack.) ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2023, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/63 "2023-04-07T21:41:18Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Maybe a hijack…what happened in Wisconsin? Last I saw the liberal supreme court justice won. I’ve only been half following the thread so this might not be what you’re referring to, but republicans in WI have already started discussing impeaching her (she won’t even be sworn in for a few months yet). ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2023, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/64 "2023-04-07T21:43:59Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Hell, it is far more likely that I and my colleagues will face some stricter scrutiny. > [@Dinsdale](#): > > I really have a hard time imagining what sorts of investments would create a conflict of interest for me in my position. But I can EASILY imagine no end to situations that would be problematic for a Supreme. And then - of course - there is always that quaint, apparently vanishing, concept of avoiding even the appearance of a conflict. I feel ya. Every holiday season, some law offices would send fruit baskets and boxes of chocolates to the court staff, just to express their appreciation for our work. There was a local business, famous for its pastries, that would send groaning containers of all their goodies. One law firm gave $50 gift certificates to a wonderful restaurant in the area to every person who worked for the judges, from the lowliest file clerk to the most senior court attorney. We couldn’t accept any of it. (Probably saved my waistline, but that’s beside the point.) I once turned down a chocolate orange from a lawyer. He brought it after the lunch break when I stayed in to prep his exhibits for the trial afternoon session. He meant well, but “no gifts” meant no gifts! > [@Dinsdale](#): > > What a fucking asshole. Completely agree. But then, I always detested him. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2023, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/65 "2023-04-07T22:03:58Z")
Thanks…very disturbing news. For another thread though. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2023, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/66 "2023-04-07T22:18:22Z")
> **[Exclusive Interview With Clarence Thomas](https://www.theonion.com/exclusive-interview-with-clarence-thomas-1850309996)** > > The Supreme Court Justice Explains Why He Accepted Luxury Trips From A GOP Megadonor ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2023, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/67 "2023-04-07T22:18:27Z")
I’d suggest joining the discussion on the [What Comes After Trump](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-comes-after-trump/982335) thread for an appropriate option @Whack-a-Mole. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2023, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/68 "2023-04-07T22:30:39Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Turns out, all that guy’s close friends are judges and congressmen. > > Just pure coincidence. He must have read the article I saw recently about making effective charitable contributions, subtitled “How to do the most good with the money you give”. The man is obviously a pragmatist who knows how to get the most out of everything he gives! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2023, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/69 "2023-04-07T22:38:11Z")
What makes it doubly frustrating is that Thomas is the most intransigent of the far-right nutjobs on the court, with Alito a close second. As I noted **[over here](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-rejects-west-virginia-request-to-enforce-anti-trans-law/982278)** with yet another example, Thomas and Alito can be relied on for a consistent lunatic vote on almost every issue, making even the Trump appointees look almost sane by comparison. Neither should ever have been nominated, let alone confirmed, but in the case of Thomas that fact was blatantly obvious right from the start. The absolute worst of a bad lot. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2023, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/70 "2023-04-07T22:45:36Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > I’ve only been half following the thread so this might not be what you’re referring to, but republicans in WI have already started discussing impeaching her (she won’t even be sworn in for a few months yet). Apologies for continuing the hijack… There have been Wisconsin Republicans threatening this, yes, but according to this article, the Senate Majority Leader (a Republican) has said that they won’t be pursuing that in order to overturn the election, and actually achieving an impeachment and removal from office would be challenging, anyway. > **[Republicans can't simply remove a Wisconsin Supreme Court justice](https://pbswisconsin.org/news-item/republicans-cant-simply-remove-a-wisconsin-supreme-court-justice/)** > > This article was first published by Wisconsin Watch.   Democrats celebrated the April 4 election of Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Janet Protasiewicz to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, cementing a ... ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2023, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/71 "2023-04-08T00:23:04Z")
Yeah, I read that as well, and while it made me feel a bit better, it’s not like republicans, at least as a whole, have all that much integrity. I could easily see someone saying that to keep everyone calm, but doing it anyway. Or being convinced to do it later. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2023, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/72 "2023-04-08T18:50:38Z")
“My friend told me it was okay”. Maybe he had a flashback and thought he was being called before the principal in grade school. That’s some weak shit for a SUPREME COURT JUSTICE! He might as well have said “IANAL” 🤨 ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2023, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/73 "2023-04-08T21:30:12Z")
Turns out the the guy that bought Thomas is also a huge fan of Adolf Hitler. Cool. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2023, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/74 "2023-04-09T12:25:53Z")
Now, now. He says he has Hitler’s paintings and a signed copy of Mein Kampf in a special Nazi memorabilia room because he hates fascism. Who could doubt that explanation? > **[US Supreme Court judge’s donor owns signed ‘Mein Kampf,’ Hitler’s paintings –...](https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-supreme-court-judges-donor-owns-signed-mein-kampf-hitlers-paintings-report/)** > > Harlan Crow, who reportedly gave lavish gifts to Justice Clarence Thomas, said to own multiple pieces of Nazi memorabilia, as well as garden statues of Mussolini and Stalin ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2023, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/75 "2023-04-09T14:35:02Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > says he has Hitler’s paintings and a signed copy of Mein Kampf in a special Nazi memorabilia room because he hates fascism. Who could doubt that explanation? If he was really dedicated to ~~hating~~ fascism, he’d have the complete set of memorabilia from the _Il Duce_ and _Generalissimo Franco_ collections. Weak! Stranger ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2023, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/76 "2023-04-09T14:38:22Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > > [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > > > says he has Hitler’s paintings and a signed copy of Mein Kampf in a special Nazi memorabilia room because he hates fascism. Who could doubt that explanation? > > If he was really dedicated to ~~hating~~ fascism, he’d have the complete set of memorabilia from the _Il Duce_ and _Generalissimo Franco_ collections. Weak! - > > Stranger I hear he has a train schedule. Does that count? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2023, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/77 "2023-04-09T14:44:00Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > and a signed copy of Mein Kampf [“Worse: the signature reads, ‘Dear Harlan, Big fan. - Adolf’”](https://youtu.be/-xw4VC3nEp4?t=149) ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Krupe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@Leo\_Krupe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Krupe)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2023, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/78 "2023-04-09T14:51:15Z")
Does a [garden](https://news.yahoo.com/clarence-thomas-billionaire-buddy-vast-154721791.html) count? > Somehow less alarming but still strange is the “Garden of Evil” in Crow’s backyard, where statues of infamous despots like Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, Yugoslav dictator Josip Broz Tito, and Russia’s Joseph Stalin and Vladimir Lenin reside. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2023, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/79 "2023-04-09T15:29:59Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I’ll have you know that Thomas personally asked a Justice of the Supreme Court if his behavior was acceptable, and the Justice told him it was. You can’t get any better authority for legal advice than that! I just assumed he asked Ginni Thomas if it was OK. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2023, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/80 "2023-04-09T16:09:28Z")
> [@Leo\_Krupe](#): > > Does a [garden](https://news.yahoo.com/clarence-thomas-billionaire-buddy-vast-154721791.html) count? > > > Somehow less alarming but still strange is the “Garden of Evil” in Crow’s backyard, where statues of infamous despots like Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, Yugoslav dictator Josip Broz Tito, and Russia’s Joseph Stalin and Vladimir Lenin reside. That just…makes him seem like a [Bond villain](https://youtu.be/r4FA8nSRAcQ&t=38s). Stranger [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252.md?page=5)