Luigi Mangione, the man accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York last December, has released his first public statement since his arrest, thanking his supporters.
“I am overwhelmed by – and grateful for – everyone who has written me to share their stories and express their support,” said Mangione, who is being held at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center. His statement was posted on a website created by his lawyers to offer updates on his case.
“Powerfully, this support has transcended political, racial, and even class divisions, as mail has flooded MDC from across the country, and around the globe. While it is impossible for me to reply to most letters, please know that I read every one that I receive,” he continued.
“Thank you again to everyone who took the time to write. I look forward to hearing more in the future.”
Over 10,000 donors have already raised around $300,000 to support his legal case.
Mangione is charged with first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism for the killing of 50-year-old Brian Thompson. Mangione wrote a brief manifesto in which he angrily criticised the American healthcare industry.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
If found guilty, he could be executed.
Mangione’s case, and the massive outpouring of support he has received, has raised the frightening prospect of copycat killers, as mainstream leftist mass movements struggle to cope with their failure to prevent Donald Trump returning to the White House.
Recently, a transgender man who attempted to murder newly confirmed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed Mangione was his inspiration for the attempt.
Ryan Michael English, a male-to-female transgender, said he wanted to kill because “I can’t do nothing while Nazis kill my sisters.” He told officers he had been “thinking about this for a while because of Luigi Mangione. I have seen the response to that and that situation… It was not an everyday thing and it extremely shook up everything.”
