Donald Trump’s vs. the Public’s Reaction to Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Passing

By Helen Sanders '24

Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away on September 18th, 2020. (Photo Credit: History)

UPDATE: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced at a press conference on Tuesday, October 20, that the Senate would be voting to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett on Monday, October 26. 

“What else can you say? She was an amazing woman, whether you agree or not. She was an amazing woman who led an amazing life.” President Trump told reporters upon hearing of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death after a two-hour rally in Minnesota. According to Business Insider, Pres. Trump’s aides allegedly didn’t inform him of Justice Ginsburg’s death because they thought his supporters might cheer if President Trump told them of Justice Ginsburg’s passing. 

Before her death, Justice Ginsberg said, “My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new President is installed.” Only 24 hours after her death, Mr. Trump was already discussing a replacement for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. 

On September 18, 2020, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away from complications caused by liver cancer. RBG leaves behind a legacy as a proponent of equal rights, particularly women’s rights. Justice Ginsburg was the first woman to lie in State at the Capitol.

On September 24, Mr. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump visited Justice Ginsburg’s casket as it lay in State for the second day. President Donald Trump was booed by others paying their respects to the late Justice Ginsburg. Crowds loudly chanted “Vote him out!” as the president stood silently behind Justice Ginsburg’s casket. 

On September 26, President Trump nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to fill the vacancy left by Ginsburg’s passing. 

Amy Coney Barrett is a favorite among conservatives. Barrett has been accused of having ties with the Christian faith group, People of Praise, which has been criticized for controlling the lives of its members and subjugating women and has elicited references to Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale.

Many are concerned with this nomination. More than 1,000 alumni from Rhodes College, Barrett’s alma mater, have signed a letter that criticizes Amy Coney Barrett for her stances on the Affordable Care Act, abortion rights, women’s rights, and LGBTQ+ rights. 

Despite Senate Majority leader Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) blocking former President Barack Obama’s SCOTUS nomination back in 2016, claiming the American people should be the ones to decide who fills the court seat, the Senate plans to proceed with Barrett’s confirmation with Senator McConnell’s full support. According to a Fox News poll that surveyed 950 voters, 56% of whom feel that the seat should be filled after the 2020 election.