FLASHBACK: Liberals Celebrated the Death of Conservative Justice Antonin Scalia

To say the Left has responded very emotionally to the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg would be an understatement. Some have even suggested it is disrespectful to her memory to talk about her replacement so soon after her death.

But the political implications of the vacancy on the Court resulting from her death are impossible for anyone to ignore, regardless of which side of the aisle they are on. That said, the reaction from most on Left and Right has been mostly respectful from what I’ve seen.

But I can’t say the same for when Justice Antonin Scalia passed away in 2016.

Nominated by Ronald Reagan, Justice Scalia was a diehard defender of the Constitution, and when he died during the last year of Obama’s presidency, many on the Left couldn’t contain their glee.

David Ehrlich of Rolling Stone asked, “How long do we have to wait till we can openly not be sad about it?”

so if the news about Scalia is true, how long do we have to wait until we can openly not be sad about it?

— david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) February 13, 2016

when you go to harass women outside of planned parenthood tomorrow, be sure to hold your fetus poster at half-mast. out of respect. #Scalia

— david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) February 13, 2016

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Charles Finch, a contributor to the New York Times, Slate, and The Washington Post, wrote “I mean, if you don’t want your death politicized, don’t lead a repugnant and profoundly influential political life.”

I mean, if you don't want your death politicized, don't lead a repugnant and profoundly influential political life.

— Charles Finch (@CharlesFinch) February 13, 2016

Comedian Moshe Kasher tweeted, “Just to make sure I understand your argument: you want me to show respect for the death of a hateful man who disrespected so many lives?”

Just to make sure I understand your argument: you want me to show respect for the death of a hateful man who disrespected so many lives?

— Moshe Kasher (@moshekasher) February 13, 2016

Glenn Greenwald, a journalist at The Intercept, warned, “Don’t even try to enforce the inapplicable don’t-speak-ill-of-the-dead ‘rule’ for the highly polarizing, deeply consequential Antonin Scalia.”

Don't even try to enforce the inapplicable don't-speak-ill-of-the-dead "rule" for the highly polarizing, deeply consequential Antonin Scalia

— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) February 13, 2016

Stand-up comedian Anthony Jeselnik must have thought he was being funny when he tweeted, “Funny. I actually support Scalia on this one.”

Funny. I actually support Scalia on this one.

— Anthony Jeselnik (@anthonyjeselnik) February 13, 2016

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Author and lecturer Alfie Kohn reacted to the news with a Mark Twain quote.

Re #Scalia – Mark Twain said, "I've never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure"

— Alfie Kohn (@alfiekohn) February 13, 2016

Podcaster and columnist Dan Savage also mocked Scalia’s death.

Dedicating the rest of this weekend's marital sodomy to the memory of Antonin Scalia.

— Dan Savage (@fakedansavage) February 13, 2016

Jess Dweck, a writer for The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, said this:

Now Scalia will know what it's like to have the government own his body.

— Jess Dweck (@TheDweck) February 13, 2016

A writer for Buzzfeed celebrated the news in a tweet, which she later deleted.

More from this @BuzzFeedNews employee reacting to death of Scalia https://t.co/ucCCp14gd5

— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) February 13, 2016

In fact, many vile tweets reacting to Scalia’s death have since been deleted.

Silvia Killingsworth of The New Yorker, mused, “Wish I could be a fly on the wall for Scalia’s chat with the Devil,” and “Died in a ranch in Texas, God bless America.” Both of those tweets have since been deleted.

“Scalia was a monster and no one’s job entitles them to respect,” tweeted Vocativ Senior Sports Editor Tomas Rios. His tweet is also no longer available.

So, the next time a liberal says it’s disrespectful to talk about replacing RBG on the Court so soon, remind them of what actual disrespect looks like.

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Matt Margolis is the author of the new book Airborne: How The Liberal Media Weaponized The Coronavirus Against Donald Trump, and the bestselling book The Worst President in History: The Legacy of Barack Obama. You can follow Matt on Twitter @MattMargolis