Though their exact positions on the list are unknown, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis rank pretty high up there on the list of the media’s most despised prominent conservative public figures.
DeSantis, now a presidential candidate, has been on their radar since he received then-President Donald Trump’s endorsement during his first run for governor back in 2017. He further enraged JournoWorld in 2020 with his handling of the Wuhan virus pandemic, deciding not to go full metal dictator like the media’s then-Governor of choice, Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.).
Thomas, of course, has been hated by the Usual Suspects in the press going way back to his Supreme Court nomination days. And with the nation’s highest court now having a conservative majority, Thomas has been the subject of repeated attempts by enraged Democrats – in collusion with the media – to cast doubt on his character as well as to call into question his judicial integrity and ability to judge cases free from alleged conflicts of interests.
So it would only make sense that if a reporter got a big scoop that tied the two powerful men together and, in their view, gave off the appearance of impropriety, the news organization would run with it, right?
As it turns out, that’s exactly what happened Tuesday when CNN, which is in the midst of a heated round of bitter infighting surrounding embattled CEO Chris Licht, ran a report on DeSantis’ giving Thomas high praise in 2020 during a speech, and then afterward having dinner with Thomas, who CNN also showed DeSantis hugging.
Here’s the CNN News Central transcript of the segment between co-anchor Kate Bolduan and their senior Supreme Court analyst Joan Biskupic:
Bolduan: Let’s turn to this, also this morning, new details about the close relationship between Republican Presidential Candidate Ron DeSantis and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. It has to do with one connection, really, Leonard Leo. A conservative activist who had previously advised both DeSantis and Donald Trump on judicial nominations. Leo is also friends with Justice Thomas.
So, three years ago, an event for the Florida Chapter of the Federalist Society, DeSantis said this about Justice Thomas.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DeSantis: This a justice that has the courage of his convictions and he’s willing to apply the constitution, you know, regardless of any criticism that he may face. Because I do think that he is our greatest living justice. Thank you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
Bolduan: And after that speech, DeSantis, Thomas, and Leo, all went out to dinner. CNN’s Senior Supreme Court Analyst Joan Biskupic — Joan Biskupic has much more on this. I’m sorry, Joan. what do you see in this, Joan?
Biskupic: Yes, morning, Kate. Didn’t you like that big bear hug at the end there?
Watch their “bombshell” report below:
The Twitter reactions were hilarious.
“Wow. This is awesome to hear. I’ll donate some more money pronto,” tweeted one impressed Twitter user.
“And this happened in 2020 and they weren’t even wearing masks oh my God this is worse than Watergate,” quipped another.
And perhaps the most burning question of all:
Did DeSantis pick up the check?
DID HE PICK UP THE CHECK???
Of course, DeSantis’ admiration for Thomas and the cordial relationship between the two has been well-known for some time now, so it’s not exactly a shock to hear any “new details” about that 2020 event involving DeSantis and Thomas and what happened after – though CNN’s framing was intended to make the ten viewers they have left wonder if they should be concerned about what has transpired between the two.
And let’s be clear here, there is far less to be worried about with the two of them having a friendship and with DeSantis expressing appreciation and respect for the work Thomas does than there was with Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s open ties to far left activist groups including those who were staunch proponents of abortion.
Yet I can’t recall a single story CNN ran with on that topic for some strange reason.
In any event, though CNN would like people to think otherwise, this really is a move along, nothing to see story, much like the nothing burgers they often report related to DeSantis – something that former President Donald Trump also routinely dealt with during his four years in office.
Related: New Lincoln Project Ad Against Ron DeSantis Gets Exactly the Responses It Deserves