Clarence Thomas officially discloses trips from billionaire GOP donor


Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas released his annual financial disclosure on Thursday, acknowledging a series of trips on private jets paid for by billionaire GOP donor Harlan Crow.
The disclosure, which covers all of 2022, shows that Thomas traveled on Crow's private plane at least four times last year. The conservative justice included a note on the disclosure claiming that the usage of a private jet was due to security concerns following the leaked draft opinion of the Court overturning Roe v. Wade. "Because of the increased security risk following the Dobbs opinion leak, the May flights were by private plane for official travel as filer's security detail recommended noncommercial travel whenever possible," Thomas wrote.
The use of private aviation by Thomas is not new, as he "first reported private jet travel in the 1990s, and even as those disclosures dropped off by the mid-2000s, he has continued such travel over decades," The New York Times reported. However, his relationship with Crow has come under fire following an investigation by ProPublica earlier this year, which alleged that Thomas has been treated to luxury vacations by the GOP donor for more than 20 years.
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.
This includes trips around the world on Crow's superyacht and jet, in addition to a number of vacations at the donor's private estate. Crow also purchased the home of Thomas' mother in Savannah, Georgia, in 2014. ProPublica reported that the extent of these gifts "have no known precedent in the modern history of the U.S. Supreme Court."
In a statement accompanying the disclosure, Thomas' attorney wrote that the justice "has always strived for full transparency and adherence to the law, including with respect to what personal travel needed to be reported." The statement claimed that Thomas was being attacked for "alleged ethical violations largely stemming from his relationships with personal friends who happen to be wealthy."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
How is Chili's saving casual dining? Could others follow?
Today's Big Question Value and TikTok virality bring in the diners
-
NASA is abandoning the climate
The Explainer Climate missions could be going dark
-
Every MCU movie since 'Avengers: Endgame,' ranked
The Week Recommends How did the recent 'Fantastic Four: First Steps' stack up?
-
Court says labor board's structure unconstitutional
Speed Read The ruling has broad implications for labor rights enforcement in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi
-
Feds seek harsh charges in DC arrests, except for rifles
Speed Read The DOJ said 465 arrests had been made in D.C. since Trump federalized law enforcement there two weeks ago
-
Trump taps Missouri AG to help lead FBI
Speed Read Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has been appointed FBI co-deputy director, alongside Dan Bongino
-
Trump warms to Kyiv security deal in summit
Speed Read Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Trump's support for guaranteeing his country's security 'a major step forward'
-
DC protests as Trump deployment ramps up
Speed Read Trump's 'crusade against crime' is targeting immigrants and the homeless
-
Ukraine, European leaders to meet Trump after Putin talks
Speed Read Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy today following talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week
-
Border agents crash Newsom redistricting kickoff
Speed Read Armed federal Border Patrol agents amassed outside the venue where the California governor and other Democratic leaders were gathered
-
Man charged for hoagie attack as DC fights takeover
Speed Read The Trump administration filed felony charges against a man who threw a Subway sandwich at a federal agent