Why the Internet’s Support for Luigi Mangione Shouldn’t Surprise Us

A Society Rewarding Chaos

Luigi Mangione, the alleged United Health Care CEO shooter, is being heralded as some kind of anti-hero in the digital town square. From Reddit to Twitter, the hashtags #JusticeForLuigi and #EatTheRich are trending, and it’s clear people have a lot to say.

Most Americans see Luigi Mangione, who stands accused of shooting UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson, as a symbol of anger against the healthcare industry.   PHOTO: JULIA DEMAREE NIKHINSON/ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Normalization of Violence

Cheering for an act of violence underscores a disturbing trend in America. Our culture, marinated in resentment toward corporations, is quick to glorify anyone perceived as standing up to the “big guy.” The healthcare industry, often vilified as greedy and exploitative, is an easy target. So, when Mangione allegedly took matters into his own hands, the internet’s predictable response was a standing ovation.

The Root of Public Anger

But let’s not kid ourselves: this is less about Luigi Mangione and more about the festering anger Americans feel toward our current system. It’s anger over unaffordable premiums, denied claims, and corporate executives making millions while regular people go bankrupt over medical bills. In this sense, Mangione has become a vessel for a deeper frustration, a symbol for those who feel voiceless in a rigged game.

In his first public words since a five-day search ended with his arrest at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania, Luigi Mangione emerged from a patrol car shouting about an “insult to the intelligence of the American people” while deputies pushed him inside a courthouse. ASSOCIATED PRESS

Why Violence Isn’t the Answer

However, let me be clear: there’s nothing heroic about violence—ever. Turning Luigi Mangione into some kind of folk legend is not only morally bankrupt, but it’s also intellectually lazy. Glorifying such actions only normalizes anarchy and violence as acceptable solutions to systemic issues. Is this the kind of society we want to live in—one where our grievances are met with bullets instead of ballots?

The Broken Healthcare System

And yet, it’s hard to ignore the reasons behind this outpouring of support. The healthcare system is broken, and everyone knows it. This isn’t just about politics or economics; it’s about trust. Americans no longer trust corporations, and they’re starting to lose trust in the government to fix what’s broken. In this environment, it’s no wonder people are willing to celebrate anyone who strikes at the perceived villains of our age.


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