Is this what we have now become?
Brian Thompson, CEO of the American UnitedHealthcare company since 2021, was gunned down outside the Manhattan Midtown Hilton hotel, on December 4.
Thompson was in the city to attend an annual company investors’ meeting. His company had been under criticism for rejection of insurance claims, and he had received death threats in the past. A suspect, Luigi Mangione, was arrested five days later, in Altoona, PA, and charged with the crime.
Brian Thompson was 50 years old, a son, and husband and father of two teenage boys. People on social media have played apologists to the accused killer by hinting that he may have made a point by killing Thompson. After all, our health care system is dysfunctional.
Thompson was his high school’s valedictorian and homecoming king before going on to the University of Iowa where he attained the highest-grade point average in his class. But that’s not the story that has evolved from this event.
The news of Thompson’s murder has been met with posts of unrestrained glee on social media, from people who are upset with the state of American healthcare. Jokes and memes abound, and many have even expressed support for the accused killer, while criticizing the McDonald’s employee who turned him in.
Is this who we have become now? It is understandable that people are upset with healthcare in America; it is expensive, coverage is subjective, and the process is difficult. But, come on folks – a man lost his life.
He was murdered, shot in the back as he walked down a Manhattan street. And his wife and sons lost a husband and father. Are we that immune to human suffering? Are we so fearful of showing compassion? Have we become that unfeeling?
As I watch the news, and view the responses to this man’s sad fate, I am amazed at the me-first attitude that allows us to root against, or not even care about, anyone that may not align with all of our personal needs. How selfish and uncaring can we be?
And on top of the social media outpouring that has been critical of Thompson because he ran an insurance company, the attitude has morphed to support for the accused murderer. One factor in that support is that the alleged shooter is attractive, borne out by the myriad online, often cringeworthy, comments to that effect.
His attorney stated on Thursday that people have come forward offering to foot the legal bills for his defense. Others have called for him to simply be released, saying he had “done a service for the community.”
A few comments found on X included:
o “Such a hot thing to do.”
o “FREE HIM”
o “Such a great job bro”
o “In this house, Luigi Mangione is a hero, end of story.”
o “Mr. Mangione, thank you for your sacrifice. May others follow in your footsteps of bravery and justice.”
Support for Mangione has extended to platforms like Amazon and Etsy, where merchandise including hats, tote bags, mugs, and even bandanas for your dog, all displaying clever catch phrases like “Mommy’s Little CEO Killer” and “Defend, Deny, Depose,” are already being marketed. Imagine losing a family member and watching the online community turn it into a meme.
A crowdfunding campaign set a $200,000 goal for Mangione’s legal defense and has raised more than $40,000 to date.
The accused killer may not be guilty, although his actions after he was captured might sway opinion. He is innocent until proven otherwise, so we do not know. But the sad truth is that regardless of who committed the crime, and despite the dysfunctional state of America’s healthcare system, maybe, just maybe, at this time of grief, our focus could be on the victim and his family.
Curt MacRae is a resident of Coldwater, MI, and publishes opinion columns regularly.
Tweets @curtmacrae — comments to rantsbymac@gmail.com
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