The Supreme Court of the United States announced on Sunday that Justice Clarence Thomas was hospitalized on Friday evening after experiencing flu-like symptoms.
“Thomas was admitted to Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C., on Friday evening after experiencing flu-like symptoms,” a press release from the High Court said.
“He underwent tests, was diagnosed with an infection, and is being treated with intravenous antibiotics,” it added. “His symptoms are abating, he is resting comfortably, and he expects to be released from the hospital in a day or two.”
“Justice Thomas will participate in the consideration and discussion of any cases for which he is not present on the basis of the briefs, transcripts, and audio of the oral arguments,” the court noted.
Thomas is 73 years old and considered by many to be the most conservative justice on the Supreme Court. In 1991, Thomas underwent a “high-tech lynching,” as he categorized it, during his Supreme Court confirmation process led by then-Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) and Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) over accusations against him of sexual impropriety against a colleague, Anita Hill.
In one of the most famous moments in Supreme Court nominee history and American history, Thomas strongly rebuked the process and defended himself as a black conservative:
This is a circus. It’s a national disgrace. And from my standpoint, as a black American, it is a high-tech lynching for uppity blacks who in any way deign to think for themselves, to do for themselves, to have different ideas, and it is a message that unless you kowtow to an old order, this is what will happen to you. You will be lynched, destroyed, caricatured by a committee of the U.S. Senate rather than hung from a tree.
Thomas’ life gained new attention via a documentary, “Created Equal: Clarence Thomas in His Own Words,” in 2020 that took an unprecedented look at his upbringing and career:
“Although Clarence Thomas remains a controversial figure, loved by some, reviled by others, few know much more than a few headlines and the recollections of his contentious confirmation battle with Anita Hill,” the production company describes the documentary. “With unprecedented access, the producers interviewed Justice Clarence Thomas and his wife, Virginia, for over 30 hours of interview time, over many months. Justice Thomas tells his entire life’s story, looking directly at the camera, speaking frankly to the audience.”
In March, The Daily Wire reported that Thomas’ confirmation process helped the late-Andrew Breitbart turn conservative, the justice revealed this past year in a short tribute video released on the anniversary of Breitbart’s death.
“I first met Andrew Breitbart at Rush Limbaugh’s house,” Justice Thomas said in his tribute. “We chatted quite a bit, and he pointed out, or it made me aware that he started his career in journalism after witnessing my confirmation.”
“Needless to say, I was very, very humbled by that, and never forgotten it,” the justice added. “Both my wife Virginia and I are very, very appreciative of Andrew as … a friend, as a patriot, and personally.”
A trailer for “Created Equal” can be seen here:
This article has been expanded after publication to include additional information.