Clarence Thomas blames progressives for Hitler.

Key Points:

• Justice Clarence Thomas delivered a rare public speech at the University of Texas, initially celebrating the Declaration of Independence but quickly turning into a harsh critique of progressivism, blaming it for major 20th-century atrocities and ongoing societal issues.
• Legal commentators Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern criticized Thomas' speech for its inaccurate historical claims, particularly his false linkage of progressivism to figures like Stalin and Hitler, and his depiction of progressivism as a top-down, oppressive movement.
• The speech was seen as a political rallying cry against contemporary progressives, with Thomas positioning himself as a lone, incorruptible defender of traditional principles, despite his longstanding ties to wealthy benefactors like Harlan Crow.
• Critics highlighted the irony of Thomas thanking Crow, a billionaire aligned with the Gilded Age plutocracy Thomas condemns, underscoring the perceived contradiction between his rhetoric and personal associations.
• The discussion contrasted Thomas' self-pity and perceived moral infallibility with Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s more pragmatic and less resentful approach to overcoming adversity, suggesting Thomas has become increasingly insular and embittered over time.