The story: Stanley Thornton Jr., 30, is a self-described "adult baby," who sleeps in a huge crib, drinks from a bottle, wears diapers, lives with a former nurse who acts as his "mom"... and subsists on Social Security disability benefits. This last part caught the attention of Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), who requested that the Social Security inspector general review Thornton's disability classification — especially since Thornton appears to be running a design business specializing in "adult baby" furniture. Thornton, who was featured on the National Geographic TV show Taboo (see video below), says he has mental problems that prevent him from holding a job, and threatened to kill himself if his Social Security check is taken away.
The reaction: The only thing standing between Thornton and a job is his fantasies, so kick this 350-pound "diaper wearing freeloader" off the dole, says Christian Adams in Pajamas Media. Seriously, could there be "a better symbol of what a fiscal mess we are in"? Well, yes and no, says Allahpundit in Hot Air. I mean, watch the video. "If this guy’s not 'disabled,' who is?" And it's not like he's the only American putting his needs before our "crushing debt burden." The saddest thing about this story, says Dan Amira in New York, is who would've thought "a fight between a United States Senator and a 30-year-old adult baby could be unfunny"?
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Bangkok: the new 'international capital of fine dining'The Week Recommends Six Bangkok restaurants rank among the world's best
-
Five of the best luxury watches for womenThe Week Recommends From iconic heritage designs to bold contemporary reinventions, these elegant timepieces stole the show at Watches and Wonders 2025
-
Bad news, alpha males. You likely don't actually exist.Under the radar Most primate communities are egalitarian
-
The last words and final moments of 40 presidentsThe Explainer Some are eloquent quotes worthy of the holders of the highest office in the nation, and others... aren't
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: which party are the billionaires backing?The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
-
US election: where things stand with one week to goThe Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
-
Is Trump okay?Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
-
The life and times of Kamala HarrisThe Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
