FYI none of these shit news articles identify the case. It is here: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/21-1143_3f14.pdf

DR. A., ET AL. v. KATHY HOCHUL 597 U. S. ____ (2022)

All these asshole libs are lying, obviously. Here is the key text:

Petitioners are 16 healthcare workers who served New York communities throughout the COVID–19 pandemic. They object on religious grounds to all available COVID–19 vaccines because they were developed using cell lines derived from aborted children. Pet. for Cert. 8. Ordered to choose between their jobs and their faith, petitioners sued in the U. S. District Court for the Northern District of New York, claiming that the State’s vaccine mandate violated the Free Exercise Clause. The District Court agreed and issued a preliminary injunction.

The Court of Appeals reversed. We the Patriots USA, Inc. v. Hochul, 17 F. 4th 266 (CA2 2021) (per curiam); We the Patriots USA, Inc. v. Hochul, 17 F. 4th 368 (CA2 2021) (per curiam). This Court then denied petitioners’ emergency application to reinstate the injunction, which three of us would have granted. See Dr. A., 595 U. S., at ___ (slip op., at 1). Since then, “every Petitioner except one has been fired, forced to resign, lost admitting privileges, or been coerced into a vaccination.” Pet. for Cert. 13–14, and n. 10.

Thomas was not making a statement that vaccines were developed using cell lines derived from aborted children. He was merely stating what the Petitioner's argument was. Anyone who read this and wrote that headline knew they were deliberately and maliciously lying.

None of the Covid-19 vaccines in the United States contain the cells of aborted fetuses.

Not what the petitioners argued, or what Thomas said. This is called a "straw man" fallacy.

Cells obtained from elective abortions decades ago were used in testing during the Covid vaccine development process, a practice that is common in vaccine testing

And thus, the truth of the statement is thereby admitted.

Conservative Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch joined Thomas in his dissenting opinion.

Roberts and Kavanaugh continue to disappoint. I hate how the libs are always in lock step, but the Right is all over the fucking place and routinely betray their own side.

And some Thomas defenders noted that he was simply reciting the allegations made by those refusing to get the vaccine.

The writer of the politico piece just straight up admitting that the headline is an outright lie, and trying to lampshade the truth as "some Thomas defenders". Oh? How about "anyone who isn't a liar"?