A surprising number of young people think that Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, did the right thing. According to a recent Emerson College poll, 41% of U.S. voters aged 18-29 say Mangione’s actions were “acceptable.” Among these young voters, 24% said it was somewhat acceptable, and 17% said it was completely acceptable.
The poll also showed differences between political parties. Only 22% of Democrats think Mangione’s actions were okay, but only 2% of Republicans and 16% of independents agree.
Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate, was charged with murder after Thompson was killed outside a hotel in Midtown on December 4. Recently, he was hit with even more serious charges.
Since Thompson’s death, some people have disturbingly celebrated it. At a party in Boston with a Disney theme, pictures of Mangione were shown while music played. The DJ displayed a slideshow that praised the alleged killer.
After hearing about the murder, former journalist Taylor Lorenz shared her thoughts online, saying, “And people wonder why we want these executives dead.” She explained that if someone has seen a loved one suffer because of insurance companies denying medical treatments, it makes sense to feel angry about those in charge.
A professor from the University of Pennsylvania, where Mangione studied, called him an “icon.” Julia Alekseyeva said she’s proud to be a teacher there.
In Washington Square Park, there was even a contest for people who looked like Mangione, with a $50 prize. Many people on social media are showing support for him, with some calling him “Gen-Z’s Ted Bundy.”
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