Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s sudden death at age 79 shocked the news media and political class — and brought about a much more expected stream of colorful responses on social media on Saturday.
The jurist courted controversy through his pointed rulings opposing gay marriage, the Affordable Care Act, affirmative action and other liberal causes during his nearly 30-year tenure on the high court.
Politicians, pundits, comedians and regular fans and foes of the conservative firebrand took to Twitter with their thoughts on the news, which is sure to shake up the 2016 presidential election.
Here is a sampling of the most notable responses so far.
Good timing. RIP Scalia.
— marc maron (@marcmaron) February 13, 2016
It is not polite to talk ill of the dead. Even a racist. #Scalia
— Terry McMillan (@MsTerryMcMillan) February 13, 2016
https://twitter.com/JoyAnnReid/status/698632697057517569
I did not always agree with Justice #Scalia but I always enjoyed his company. Condolences to his wife & family.
— Larry King (@kingsthings) February 13, 2016
I will not at all be surprised when the coroner confirms the cause of death as marriage equality. #Scalia
— Drew Emery (@InlawsOutlaws) February 14, 2016
And I thought I had good timing. #Scalia
— Judy Gold (@JewdyGold) February 13, 2016
#Scalia was a great American. If you hate him because you disagree with him, perhaps you should ask Bader Ginsberg why she liked him.
— The West Wing (@thewestwingTV) February 13, 2016
Does the American voter really care/understand importance of the Supreme Court in their daily lives? What decisions affected YOU? #Scalia
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) February 13, 2016
https://twitter.com/VaguelyFunnyDan/status/698660832863920128
Unlike most Republican appointees to the Supreme Court, Justice Scalia didn't "grow" once he put on his black robe. Thank God.
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) February 14, 2016
Anti gay quotes abound in this link: Scalia, one of the most antigay justices, was found dead at a Texas resort. https://t.co/LdM8p3Me6A
— Anthony Rapp SAG-AFTRA National Board Member (@albinokid) February 14, 2016
Justice Scalia Dead Following 30-Year Battle With Social Progress via @TheOnion https://t.co/2kGcjb0qqZ
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) February 14, 2016
“I don’t like bearded, sandal-wearing people" – justice #scalia . If I owned a pair of sandals I'd wear them tonight in honor of his passing
— moby XⓋX (@thelittleidiot) February 14, 2016