John Oliver offers Clarence Thomas $1M yearly and luxury motor coach to resign as he roasts SCOTUS judge on ‘Last Week Tonight’

Investigations have revealed that Clarence Thomas had not disclosed numerous luxurious trips funded by Republican billionaire Harlan Crow
PUBLISHED FEB 20, 2024
John Oliver's offer on his show 'Last Week Tonight' comes after Justice Clarence Thomas was exposed in a series of scandals (Getty Images, Steve Petteway, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States via Wikipedia)
John Oliver's offer on his show 'Last Week Tonight' comes after Justice Clarence Thomas was exposed in a series of scandals (Getty Images, Steve Petteway, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States via Wikipedia)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Comedian John Oliver has extended an unconventional proposition to Justice Clarence Thomas, offering him $1 million annually along with a $2.4 million motor coach as an incentive to "get off the Supreme Court".

Oliver presented this offer during the February 18 episode of his HBO show, 'Last Week Tonight', issuing a 30-day ultimatum for Thomas to accept before the offer expires.

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - AUGUST 08:  John Oliver accepts the TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement in New
Comedian John Oliver has given Justice Clarence Thomas an offer (Getty Images)

This unusual gesture follows a string of investigations revealing that Thomas had not disclosed numerous luxurious trips and expenses funded by Republican billionaire Harlan Crow.

Justice Thomas' integrity questioned

The ensuing scandal raised serious concerns about Justice Thomas's integrity and impartiality, especially in light of the highly politicized Roe v Wade decision and his decision not to recuse himself from hearings pertaining to the January 6 insurrection.

In a humorous tone, Oliver quipped, "Lot on your plate right now, from stripping away women’s rights to hearing January 6 cases … and you deserve a break, you know, away from the meanness of Washington."

"So you can be surrounded by the regular folks whose lives you've demonstrably made worse for decades."



 

Last April, ProPublica uncovered that Thomas had neglected to disclose two decades' worth of extravagant trips funded by Crow on his financial disclosure forms.

They detailed Thomas' vacations aboard Crow's luxury yacht, travels on his private jet, and visits to a male-only resort in California, the Bohemian Grove.

Crow also allegedly covered approximately $100,000 in tuition fees for Thomas's grandnephew and purchased the home where Thomas' mother resided.

These payments, coupled with Thomas' failure to disclose them, raised significant concerns regarding his impartiality, particularly in relation to rulings on Roe v Wade and the January 6 riot.

Clarence Thomas, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (Getty Images)
Clarence Thomas, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (Steve Petteway, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States via Wikipedia)

Despite mounting pressure, Thomas opted to overturn federal abortion rights established by the Roe v Wade decision and declined to recuse himself from hearings concerning the Capitol attack.

Furthermore, he resisted calls to recuse himself from cases regarding whether Donald Trump could be excluded from states' ballots in the presidential election, despite his wife, conservative political activist Ginni Thomas, endorsing Trump's unfounded claims of election fraud.

Clarence Thomas: A Supreme Court Justice or luxury vacation connoisseur? 

In reference to the scandals as he presented his offer on the February 18 episode, Oliver stated, "That’s the offer, a million dollars Clarence and a brand new condo on wheels. And all you have to do in return is sign the contract and get the f**k off the Supreme Court. Talk it over with your totally best friends in the whole world. Because the clock starts now, 30 days Clarence. Let’s do this!"

The reference to substantial monetary offerings and lavish gifts was a subtle allusion to the presents Thomas received from his 'associate' Crow, who purportedly has a collection of Nazi memorabilia, including a signed copy of Mein Kampf and two paintings by Hitler.

Oliver remarked, "'I think you’re thinking, what would my friend say if I take this offer? Will they judge me as they sit in their boardrooms and mega yachts and Hitler shrines? Will they still treat me to luxury vacations and sing songs about me off their phones?'

He continued, "Well, that’s the beauty of friendship, Clarence. If they’re real friends, they’ll love you no matter what your job is. So I guess this might be the perfect way to find out who your real friends actually are."

According to ProPublica, Thomas had frequented Crow's ranch in East Texas and typically spent a week each summer at Crow's private retreat, Camp Topridge, located in New York's Adirondacks. 

An image of Crow's yacht, the Michaela Rose, which was decked out with a giant inflatable rubber duck during the Thomases 2019 trip to Indonesia (Major Yatch Services Australia)
An image of Harlan Crow's yacht, the Michaela Rose, which was decked out with a giant inflatable rubber duck during the Thomases 2019 trip to Indonesia (Major Yatch Services Australia)

As per Daily Mail, the nearby hotel starts its rates at $2,250 per night, but Camp Topridge stands out for its exclusivity, with invitations exclusively extended by Crow.

The camp is notable for its unique attractions, including a replica of Hagrid's hut from Harry Potter, a 1950s-style soda fountain, and bronze gnome statues.

Reportedly, a trip to Indonesia in 2019 taken by Thomas and his wife Ginni, accompanied by Crow, involved private flights and leisure on the yacht Michaela Rose, complete with a large inflatable rubber duck, amounting to an estimated expenditure of $500,000.

Thomas earns an annual salary of $285,000. ProPublica also revealed Thomas' presence on the yacht during trips to New Zealand and around Savannah, Georgia.

Furthermore, the news organization uncovered photos of Thomas wearing a shirt with the Michaela Rose logo, bearing the inscriptions 'March 2007' and 'Greek Islands,' hinting at a potential trip during that period.

None of these excursions were officially disclosed.

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