SCOTUS justices report millions in income from books, teaching and gifts

U.S. Supreme Court justices released their annual financial disclosure forms revealing millions in income from books and other sources. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
U.S. Supreme Court justices reported earning millions of dollars from books, teaching, investments and gifts, according to newly released annual financial disclosures.
SCOTUSblog, Newsweek and other news outlets reported that the justices collectively received more than $2.4 million in book deals alone in 2025. That was due largely to Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who disclosed a book advance of about $1.2 million.
Justice Amy Coney Barrett reported publication and copyright royalties totaling nearly $850,000. Justice Neil Gorsuch disclosed roughly $300,000 in book income. Justice Sonia Sotomayor netted $87,000 from four separate royalty checks.
The disclosure reports, filed with the federal judiciary for calendar year 2025, cover eight of the nine current justices. They include income from publishing, teaching and investments, along with reimbursed travel, gifts, liabilities and asset ranges. Justice Samuel Alito requested an extension and had not filed his report with the others, according to Courthouse News Service.
Sotomayor reported receiving concert tickets valued at around $4,300 from the record company that represents Puerto Rican rapper and actor Bad Bunny. The justice said in a footnote she had used them to attend an event with guests during a private trip to Puerto Rico in August 2025 but did not specify whether she attended the Bad Bunny show.
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