Luigi Mangione, who was arrested in UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s murder case, has caught social media attention with netizens asking to free him.
On Monday, as authorities announced the arrest, social media platforms witnessed an outpouring of support for Mangione. Users across X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, and Reddit have expressed solidarity, with some regarding him as a hero.
Authorities apprehended Mangione in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after a McDonald’s worker identified him. He faces firearms charges and remains a key suspect in Thompson’s death. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny confirmed finding a ghost gun, suppressor, and anti-healthcare system manifesto in his possession, Newsweek reported.
Social media’s response to the executive’s public killing has been notably casual, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with American healthcare across political divisions.
Following police disclosure of Mangione’s identity, his social media accounts – @PepMangione on X and @luigi.from.fiji on Instagram – attracted thousands of new followers. Supporters have left encouraging messages on his previous posts.
Luigi Mangione’s Instagram account, @luigi.from.fiji, sees a surge in followers, reaching 21.5K amid the growing #FreeLuigi movement on social media. The #FreeLuigi hashtag has gained traction on X, with users portraying him as an anti-establishment figure. Another user posted, “he’s only guilty of being hot. #FreeLuigi,” exemplifying how many focus on his appearance rather than the alleged crime.
One of the users stated, “Now the real news should be who is the class traitor that snitched on Luigi Mangione”
Popular culture references have fuelled the reaction. A shared image shows an HBO Sopranos still captioned, “In this house, Luigi Mangione is a hero, end of story.” Another user posted, “Luigi Mangione is my hero!!!”
Some supporters have suggested financial assistance. @nfrcam wrote, “They just found the Manhattan shooter, Luigi Mangione, and arrested him in PA and my only question is… does he have a GoFundMe?”
A fundraiser for legal expenses exists but has only collected £100 as of Monday afternoon.
The support reflects widespread frustration with health insurance practices. Shell casings at the scene bore words like “depose,” “deny,” and “delay,” seemingly referencing insurance companies’ claim rejection tactics.
Healthcare workers have joined the discourse. A TikTok video by an emergency room nurse stating, “I’m an ER nurse, and the things I’ve seen dying patients get denied for by insurance make me physically sick. I just can’t feel sympathy for [Brian Thompson] because of all those patients and their families,” received substantial engagement.
On Reddit’s r/centrist, discussions about public reaction revealed limited sympathy for Thompson. One user termed it a “warning call” for corporate America.
“The health system is a scam, and somebody finally snapped,” wrote one Redditor. Another noted that one major healthcare provider had already revised a controversial policy.
“It’s scary, but I’m not surprised something like this finally bubbled up,” a user commented. “It’s akin to pitchforks and torches. The health system is a scam, and somebody finally snapped.”
Another added, “Whether it will result in any meaningful or lasting change to the system… let’s see. I’d like to be hopeful, but I know how this world works.”