Supreme Court Unsympathetic to Activist Who Wants to Trademark Anti-Trump Insult

Left-wing lawyer Steve Elster wants exclusive legal rights to market ‘Trump Too Small’ T-shirts.

United States Supreme Court Justices pose for their official portrait at the Supreme Court in Washington on Oct. 7, 2022. Alex Wong/Getty Images

The Supreme Court was skeptical of a progressive activist’s argument that he should be allowed to trademark a belittling phrase targeting former President Donald Trump for use on T-shirts.

The justices heard oral arguments on Nov. 1 in Vidal v. Elster (court file 22-704). The former president isn’t a party to the appeal.