John Mulaney Mysteriously Attends Supreme Court Arguments Over Trump Tariffs

Famous comedian John Mulaney made a surprise appearance Nov. 5 as justices questioned President Donald Trump’s use of tariffs.

Journalists Gabe Fleisher and NBC News were among those to report on Mulaney’s unexpected attendance in court. Questions emerged regarding the purpose of his visit and multiple reasons have been given by reporters.

“Just got out of the Supreme Court, where the Trump admin’s tariffs got a tough hearing,” Fleisher, author of Wake Up To Politics, wrote on X. “Some SPOTTEDs: Scott Bessent… Howard Lutnick … Amy Klobuchar … Mike Lee … Ed Markey…And comedian John Mulaney, who was sitting towards the back listening along.”

Just got out of the Supreme Court, where the Trump admin’s tariffs got a tough hearing.

Some SPOTTEDs: Scott Bessent… Howard Lutnick … Amy Klobuchar … Mike Lee … Ed Markey…

And comedian John Mulaney, who was sitting towards the back listening along.

— Gabe Fleisher (@WakeUp2Politics) November 5, 2025

C-SPAN Communications Director Howard Mortman also reported Mulvaney’s presence in the “back row.” Mulaney entered the building through the court’s primary entrance before arguments kicked off, according to NBC News.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 27: John Mulaney speaks on stage during Broadway Preview: “All In: Comedy About Love by Simon Rich” during the 2024 New Yorker Festival at Webster Hall on October 27, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for The New Yorker

Mulaney’s attendance at the hearing immediately sparked chatter on social media. Ali, a former Huff Post and New York Magazine writer, weighed in on the conversation.

“He was there for research — for a project he’s working on,” he claimed on X.

He was there for research — for a project he’s working on. https://t.co/r4OLTY2SoG

— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) November 5, 2025

Mulaney’s passion for the U.S. Constitution reportedly led the famous comedian to the courtroom, the CBC reported. The publication cited Mulaney’s previous interview on Neal Katyal’s podcast, where the lawyer called him a “Constitutional Law nerd” in the accompanying description, as a reference point for his interest. Katyal is notably the plaintiff’s attorney in this case. (RELATED: Supreme Court Isn’t Convinced Trump’s Tariffs Are Legally Sound)

The internet is buzzing with theories about the reason for his presence, but they’ll have to keep guessing about the exact reason for now. Mulaney has not publicly posted any information confirming the nature of his visit.

Editor’s note: Article updated to clarify that Katyal referred to Mulaney as a “Constitutional Law nerd.”