4t Justice Amy Coney Barrett revealed to FOX News that she still keeps the now-viral blank notepad she held up during her marathon confirmation hearing—a silent symbol of her poised and unflappable approach as she fielded hours of intense questioning from senators.
In a delightful nod to one of the most memorable moments of her meteoric rise to the Supreme Court, Justice Amy Coney Barrett revealed in a recent FOX News interview that she still treasures the blank notepad that catapulted her to internet fame five years ago. During her 2020 confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Barrett endured hours of intense questioning on everything from constitutional originalism to hot-button issues like abortion and the Affordable Care Act—all without a single scribble to guide her. When Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) inquired about her apparent reference material, the Notre Dame law professor cracked a knowing smile, held up the pristine yellow pad emblazoned with “United States Senate” letterhead, and quipped, “That’s it.” The room erupted in laughter, and social media exploded, turning the prop into an instant symbol of intellectual prowess and unflappable poise.
The anecdote, shared during a casual chat on FOX News’ “Hannity” on October 12, 2025, underscores Barrett’s enduring humility and the lighthearted side of her trailblazing journey. “I still have it—it’s tucked away in a drawer somewhere,” she told host Sean Hannity, chuckling at the memory. “It was a reminder that preparation matters more than props.” For Barrett, a mother of seven who clerked for the late Justice Antonin Scalia, the blank slate represented not just her command of the law but a deliberate choice to engage senators directly, relying on memory honed by years of teaching and judging on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. In an era of scripted soundbites, her unadorned authenticity cut through the partisan fray, earning bipartisan admiration—even from skeptics who questioned her nomination’s timing amid the 2020 election.
The viral clip, viewed millions of times, spawned memes, merchandise, and endless commentary. Conservative outlets hailed it as proof of Barrett’s “genius under fire,” with Donald Trump Jr. tweeting, “Unlike Joe Biden, Amy Coney Barrett doesn’t need notes or a teleprompter to remember her positions.” The Republican Party of Kentucky photoshopped “#FILLTHESEAT” onto the notepad image, amplifying the push for her swift confirmation, which came just days before Election Day. Liberals, however, weren’t entirely sold; the Sierra Club quipped that the pad should read “Delay this until the inauguration,” critiquing the rushed process following Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s passing. Transgender advocate Charlotte Clymer dismissed the hype: “That’s not impressive,” she posted, urging focus on substantive issues over optics. Yet, the moment humanized Barrett, portraying her as a poised intellectual rather than the “right-wing extremist” caricature painted by some Democrats.
Fast-forward to 2025, and the notepad’s legacy endures as a touchstone for Barrett’s tenure on the Court. Now in her fifth year, she’s authored landmark opinions on religious liberty, gun rights, and election integrity, often invoking Scalia’s originalist philosophy she so effortlessly defended sans notes. Her recent interview comes amid a Supreme Court term grappling with everything from transgender rights to AI ethics, where her meticulous preparation—ironically, now bolstered by chambers full of briefs—continues to shine. “It’s funny how a blank page said so much,” Barrett reflected. “It was about being present, listening, and trusting what you’ve studied.”
On X, the story reignited old debates and fresh nostalgia. Users reposted the original clip with captions like “Who needs notes when you’ve got that kind of brainpower?” while others joked about auctioning the relic for charity. One viral thread from @jazzy2652 tied it to President Trump’s praise: “Amy Coney Barrett’s blank notepad… is GENIUS! Answered Dems’ grilling for HOURS from memory alone.” As the nation eyes the Court’s next blockbuster cases, Barrett’s keepsake serves as a reminder: In the annals of American jurisprudence, sometimes the emptiest page tells the richest story. Whether displayed in her chambers or destined for the Smithsonian, that notepad isn’t just a memento—it’s a testament to a justice who writes her own narrative, one unscripted ruling at a time.
