'He's only guilty of being hot': Why Luigi Mangione, suspect in United Healthcare CEO's murder, is being hailed as a hero
Luigi Mangione, arrested for the shocking murder of UnitedHealthcare's CEO, has garnered unexpected public support. Social media is filled with both admiration for his striking looks, fuelled by a viral mugshot, and his framing as a symbol of resistance against the unpopular insurance industry.
Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, one of the leading health insurance companies in the U.S., was shockingly murdered in broad daylight last week in Manhattan, New York. Now, police have arrested a suspect in the case, but the public's reaction has taken an unexpected turn. Instead of outrage, support for the suspect¡ªidentified as Luigi Mangione¡ªhas surged online, with the hashtag #FreeLuigi trending across social media. The buzz intensified after Mangione¡¯s mugshot went viral, with his strikingly handsome looks leaving many people swooning. But what's really behind this strange twist of events?
Why are people supporting Luigi Mangione?
On Monday, following news of the arrest, social media erupted in an unexpected wave of support for Luigi Mangione, with many dubbing him a hero.
Mangione's Instagram account, @luigi.from.fiji, sawa rise in followers, reaching 21.5K as the #FreeLuigi movement gained momentum across platforms as users have framed Mangione as a symbol of resistance against the system.
Much of this reaction stems from widespread disillusionment with the U.S. health insurance industry.
Whether Luigi Mangione is left or right wing doesn't matter. Left, right, the healthcare industry doesn't give a shit about that. Don't lose focus on them equally fucking you over no matter which side you align with. #freeluigi #Luigimangione
¡ª pyramus.eth (@pyramuscrypto) December 9, 2024
Luigi Mangione is my hero!!! https://t.co/IwnIgGIb71
¡ª Nathanael Pena (@NathanaelPena89) December 9, 2024
And in this house, Luigi Mangione is a hero. End of story pic.twitter.com/qH3c7oMiW4
¡ª Lolo (@LolOverruled) December 9, 2024
Known for its exorbitant costs, lack of transparency, and the heavy financial burden it places on individuals, the health insurance sector has long been a source of frustration in the US.
Even insured Americans often grapple with inadequate coverage, narrow provider networks, and medical debt.
Critics argue that insurers prioritise profits over people.
Given this backdrop, the public's embrace of Mangione as an anti-establishment figure¡ªand their disdain for the health insurance sector¡ªis hardly surprising.
"He's only guilty of being hot"
Another reason for Mangione's growing popularity is his looks¡ªsocial media users think he's 'drop-dead' gorgeous.
After police released his mugshot, comments flooded in, with comments ranging from, "He's only guilty of being hot," "Damn, his mugshot makes him look even hotter than his other photos," and even, "A star is born."
BREAKING: Here is Luigi Mangione¡¯s mug shot, per Altoona PD. pic.twitter.com/M5RFTIsW8k
¡ª Mikenzie Frost (@MikenzieFrost) December 9, 2024
Check out some of the posts below:
he¡¯s only guilty of being hot. #FreeLuigi https://t.co/iZdiBFzhkr
¡ª mrs hunter biden (@circlesthots) December 9, 2024
your honor, my client luigi mangione is innocent. he was just demonstrating the true power of having "looks that could kill." the only thing criminal is his bone structure. pic.twitter.com/2Pqvv9bZXc
¡ª Frank Costa (@feistyfrank) December 9, 2024
The internet after learning about Luigi Mangione pic.twitter.com/cqEo0QZ50j
¡ª Adam (@adamgreattweet) December 9, 2024
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