In a recent development that has taken social media by storm, a video showcasing a crowd rallying in support of Luigi Mangione, the accused in the murder case of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has gone viral.
The crowd, gathered outside Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center, New York City's only federal jail, was seen ringing bells and beating on buckets from The Home Depot. A sign with the words "FREE THEM ALL" was also spotted on the ground.
According to Newsweek, the video was shared on TikTok by the user @kingkashed, who expressed their sentiments saying, "So moving to see people actually being out there and going out to support Luigi!" The post has since garnered significant attention, with over 590,000 views and more than 81,000 likes.
The public's dissatisfaction with the U.S. private healthcare system has played a role in transforming Mangione into a figure of reverence in certain circles. Since being charged with murder and terrorism in relation to the death of Thompson, a 50-year-old father of two, Mangione has seen an influx of support on social media. This support has taken various forms, from comments on his physical appearance to young women attending his court sessions, and even comparisons to Jesus.
The TikTok account that shared the video has consistently posted content about Mangione. In one post, the user declared they were "going into 2025 with the same obsession" alongside a video that zoomed into a photo of Mangione. Another video, posted on December 11, showed Mangione interacting with a robot, which also went viral, amassing more than 2.1 million views.
Mangione, 26, faced the court on December 19 to answer to four federal charges, including two counts of stalking, one count of murder through the use of a firearm, which could potentially lead to the death penalty, and a firearms offense. He has denied all charges. He also pled not guilty on December 23 to 11 state criminal counts, including first-degree murder and murder as an act of terrorism.
Following his court appearance, Mangione's popularity online surged, with photos of him smiling in court and leaving the court premises going viral. This newfound fame even influenced the fashion market, with a burgundy Merino crewneck sweater he wore during his court appearance selling out at Nordstrom within a day.
Mangione's lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, expressed her concerns in court, stating, "I am very concerned about my client's right to a fair trial in this case. He is being prejudiced by some statements that are being made by government officials."
New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed his gratitude to those involved in the arrest, stating, "I want to thank all the individuals and law enforcement who helped bring this suspect into custody. The NYPD stops at nothing to catch criminals."
President-elect Donald Trump also weighed in on the situation, expressing his disapproval of the public's admiration for Mangione, stating, "I think it's a terrible thing. I think it's really terrible that some people seem to admire him, like him."
Mangione is currently being held without bail at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center. His next federal court appearance is scheduled for January 18, and he is due back in state court on February 21.
Login