The apprehension of Luigi Mangione, the individual implicated in the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week in New York City, has ignited significant backlash against the health insurance sector. This has led to an unexpected acceptance of the 26-year-old’s perspective in certain online communities—a response that was broadly criticized on Tuesday by conservative commentators and social media figures.
In the wake of the sensational execution, various questionable parts of the internet quickly began to celebrate the alleged assailant, all while condemning the corporate greed that seems to permeate UnitedHealthcare and its counterparts. Following Mangione’s arrest on Monday, many of these individuals started delving into his online activities to construct an image of their celebrated vigilante.
However, notable MAGA figures, including Megyn Kelly, Laura Loomer, and South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace, have all condemned Mangione and those who have adopted the apparent anti-corporate healthcare views he articulated.
On Tuesday, conservative activist Laura Loomer spearheaded the criticism, remarking on Mangione’s outburst as he arrived for his extradition hearing, stating: “The suspect shooter Luigi Mangione was just captured on video shouting ‘this is unjust and an insult to the intelligence of the American people’ as he was brought into his extradition hearing.
“What exactly is ‘unjust?’ He’s been charged with killing someone he disagreed with,” she added. “We all encounter people we dislike; shooting them isn’t the solution.”
As he entered a Pennsylvania courthouse for his extradition hearing, Mangione seemed agitated, shouting to reporters: “This is profoundly disconnected and an affront to the intelligence of the American populace and their lived experience.”
Former Fox News host Megyn Kelly also criticized Mangione’s claims on X, saying, “His ‘lived experience’ will soon be characterized by three meals a day and the dread of showering.”
Mace also took to X to express her discontent with the fact that more details about Mangione have emerged compared to 20-year-old gunman Thomas Crooks, who tried to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump in July.
“Just a few days following the shooting, we have more insights on CEO Brian Thompson’s assailant than we do about President Trump’s,” Mace stated. “The American public deserves answers, and we haven’t overlooked this 🐮💩.”
The online MAGA community has also critiqued the reaction from the left regarding Mangione and the homicide, with far-right activist and former political correspondent for One America News Network, Jack Posobiec, posting on X: “There’s a reason why the left supports murderers who take out businessmen in public.”
“This is a feature, not a bug.”
After news broke about Mangione’s arrest on Monday, Fox host Jesse Watters shared thoughts on the 26-year-old’s prospects in prison, asserting that he’s “not prepared” and likely to “get obliterated.”
“I don’t think anyone is truly ready [for prison],” Watters remarked on The Five. “This guy’s definitely not prepared. He’s far too soft. He’s going to face severe consequences inside, and that’s just fine.”
“If he escapes the death penalty, perhaps someone else will enact justice within the prison walls,” he concluded. “That’s all I have to add.”
Mangione is currently under the representation of private defense attorney Tom Dickey, who was appointed on Tuesday.
The suspect is contesting extradition to New York, with Dickey telling CNN: “We will challenge this in accordance with legal standards and the constitutional rights my client possesses.”
