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By Andrew Stanton
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Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito slammed the media over its criticism of the court in a secret recording made public on Monday.
The recording was made by journalist and political consultant Lauren Windsor during the Supreme Court Historical Society's dinner on June 3, according to Rolling Stone. Although Windsor identifies as a liberal, she acted as a conservative while posing questions to Alito about political polarization. Windsor asked him about how the court can restore public trust among Americans.
"I wish I knew. I don't know. It's easy to blame the media, but I do blame them because they do nothing but criticize us. And so, they have really eroded trust in the court," Alito answered.
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Newsweek reached out to the Supreme Court's public information office for comment via email.
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The Context
The U.S. Supreme Court has faced growing criticism amid recent scandals that have raised questions about the court's impartiality.
Polls indicate Americans are becoming less trusting of the nation's highest court. Gallup found in September 2023 that only 41 percent of Americans approve of the way the Supreme Court is handling its job, while 58 percent said they disapprove. Five years earlier in September 2018, 51 percent said they approved of the Court, while 40 percent said they disapproved.
What We Know
Windsor posted the audio recording to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) Monday afternoon.
Alito also discussed ideological disputes between Democrats and Republicans, saying that there are certain values that "can't be compromised."
"One side or the other is going to win. I don't know. I mean, there can be a way of working, a way of living together peacefully. But it's difficult, you know, because there are differences on fundamental things that really can't be compromised. They really can't be compromised. So it's not like you're going to split the difference, Alito said.
The recording comes as Alito, who was appointed to the bench by former President George W. Bush, has faced backlash in recent weeks following a report from The New York Times that an upside-down American flag was flown outside his Virginia home following the 2020 presidential election, a pro-Trump symbol amid his unproven election fraud claims.
Trump and his allies have continued to say that his 2020 loss to Biden was due to widespread voter fraud, despite not presenting any evidence of the claim. The photograph of the inverted flag outside Alito's home was taken less than two weeks after a group of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol building on January 6, 2021.
Alito told The New York Times that he had "no involvement whatsoever in the flying of the flag," saying his wife "briefly" put up the inverted flag "in response to a neighbor's use of objectionable and personally insulting language on yard signs."
Views
The audio recording quickly drew reaction on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
Commentator Charlotte Clymer wrote, "Alito continues to be brazen in his lack of impartiality. This is unbecoming of a Supreme Court justice.
"Samuel Alito is incapable of being impartial. HE MUST RESIGN," posted Grant Stern, executive editor of Occupy Democrats.
Some others dismissed the comments as "not much of anything" and observing "the most obvious things."
"I don't think this is much of anything. Alito, cranky as usual, blames the media and says he is wishes everyone could get along except for fundamental values, which he's naturally going to see from a right wing perspective. It's like an oral summary of his Obergefell dissent," wrote constitutional law professor Anthony Michael Kreis.
"Sorry, but Justice Alito did nothing but observe the most obvious things about where our country is at. You can't gaslight us into thinking he said anything shocking or inappropriate," posted Hannah Hill, the executive director of National Foundation for Gun Rights.
What's Next
Alito has not provided public comment responding to the audio, or the criticism he is facing over it.
Update 6/10/2024 1:12 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 6/10/2024 1:45 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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