A new report by ProPublica has revealed that Justice Clarence Thomas, the longest-serving and most conservative member of the US Supreme Court, has enjoyed several lavish trips paid for by Harlan Crow, a wealthy Republican donor, and businessman.


According to ProPublica, Crow has provided Thomas and his wife Ginni, a prominent conservative activist, with travel subsidies, stays at his properties, and access to his private jet and super yacht. Some of these trips included destinations such as Indonesia, New Zealand, California, Texas, and Georgia.


The report also found that Thomas did not disclose some of these trips on his public financial filings with the Supreme Court, as required by law. ProPublica identified several instances where Thomas appeared to have traveled on Crow's jet without reporting it, though he did disclose one such trip in 1997.


Crow, who has donated more than $10 million to Republican causes and candidates, told ProPublica that he has been friends with the Thomases for more than 30 years and that he never asked or discussed any pending or lower court cases with the justice. He said that his hospitality was no different from what he offered to his other friends.


However, the report raises serious questions about the ethical implications of Thomas' relationship with Crow, especially given the influence and power of the Supreme Court in shaping US law and policy. The report also adds to the scrutiny that Thomas has faced for his wife's political activities, which have included supporting former President Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.


The report has prompted some Democrats in Congress to call for an investigation into Thomas' potential ethical violations and to pressure the Supreme Court to adopt a code of conduct for its justices. Currently, the Supreme Court is the only federal court that does not have such a code.


The Supreme Court and Crow did not immediately respond to CNN's request for comment. Thomas also did not respond to ProPublica's detailed questions.