Luigi Mangione became widely known after he shot and killed United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City last December. Since authorities tracked down Mangione, the internet has been disturbingly captivated by the case. Media outlets like Saturday Night Live have made light of the murder, some women have bizarrely found Mangione attractive, and a disturbing number of people have attended his court hearings.
Despite the tragic and violent death of Thompson, many online reactions have shown little sympathy, which some attribute to the controversial nature of the healthcare industry. While the U.S. healthcare system faces criticism, murder is never a justified response, yet the internet continues to trivialize the situation.
Taylor Lorenz, a journalist and influencer, has engaged with this audience, even going on CNN to discuss Mangione’s case and the public’s reaction to it. During her appearance, Lorenz downplayed the severity of Mangione’s actions, suggesting that the public’s anger was justified, and questioning the mainstream media’s portrayal of criminals. She also discussed how some women view Mangione as a “revolutionary” and “morally good man,” emphasizing how difficult it is to find such individuals.
This controversial perspective has sparked outrage, with many criticizing the normalization of a murderer being painted in a sympathetic light.
The segment, airing on CNN, has drawn significant backlash, with social media users shocked by the network’s willingness to feature such a problematic viewpoint. The conversation about Mangione and the murder raises alarm about the disturbing ways in which crime and criminals are increasingly glorified in the media.
