U.S. News
John Oliver offers $1M for Clarence Thomas to resign from Supreme Court
By Jake Beardslee · February 19, 2024
In brief…
- John Oliver offered $1M per year for Clarence Thomas to resign from Supreme Court
- Oliver criticized Thomas' conservative rulings as making Americans' lives "worse"
- Highlighted ethics concerns over Thomas' undisclosed luxury trips from billionaire
- Mocked Thomas' potential concerns over friendships if he resigned
In a blistering segment during the premiere of his show’s 11th season, comedian John Oliver took aim at Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, urging him to resign and offering him a lucrative deal to do so. Oliver criticized the conservative justice, stating “you definitely shouldn’t be hearing two potentially helping rollback decades of federal regulations,” and claimed Thomas had made Americans’ lives “demonstrably worse.”
Oliver then made his proposition: “$1 million a year, Clarence. And a brand new condo on wheels. And all you have to do in return is sign the contract and get the eff off the Supreme Court.” He doubled down, giving Thomas 30 days to accept, saying “Let’s do this!”
The comedian mocked the ethics scrutiny Thomas has faced, referring to reporting that he failed to disclose luxury trips funded by billionaire Harlan Crow. “I think you’re thinking, what would my friend say if I take this offer…will they still treat me to luxury vacations and sing songs about me off their phones?” Oliver quipped. “Well, that’s the beauty of friendship, Clarence. If they’re real friends, they’ll love you no matter what your job is.”