America is buzzing with debate, and this time it’s an unlikely face capturing the internet’s imagination—Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. As Mangione awaits extradition in Pennsylvania, his controversial case has ignited a firestorm online, sparking discussions about healthcare, capitalism, and who truly represents the average American: Mangione or former President Donald Trump.
Internet’s new anti-hero
Mangione, a former Ivy League graduate from Baltimore, stands accused of targeting Thompson in what authorities suggest was an anti-corporate statement against the healthcare industry.
According to an NYPD report, Mangione left behind a manifesto decrying corporate greed and the “power games” of health insurance companies. Despite his charges—including murder, forgery, and illegal firearm possession—Mangione has been mythologized online as a symbol of resistance.
On Reddit, users have elevated him to folk-hero status. A trending thread titled “Luigi Mangione represents more Americans than Donald Trump” captured the platform’s sentiments, with users citing frustrations over the US healthcare system. “More Americans are crushed by medical debt than helped by politicians,” wrote one commenter. Another added, “If this guy runs for president in 2036, felonies won’t matter—he gets it. Universal healthcare is overdue.”
Healthcare frustrations boil over
The debate is rooted in deep dissatisfaction with the US healthcare system. A Kaiser Family Foundation report estimates that 100 million Americans collectively owe $200 billion in medical debt. Thompson’s role as the head of UnitedHealthcare—a company valued at $566 billion—made him a lightning rod for criticism. Revelations that the company denied one in three insurance claims last year further fanned public outrage.
Journalist Bob Herman, explained, “The reactions to Thompson’s death may be grim, but they reveal a frustration that has been bubbling for decades. People are tired of being crushed by premiums and denied coverage.”
Trump’s healthcare ‘concepts’
Meanwhile, Donald Trump, freshly re-elected as President-elect, has reignited his vague promises to overhaul healthcare. In an interview on Meet the Press, Trump reiterated he has “concepts of a plan” better than Obamacare but avoided detailing how it would address industry issues. “We have the biggest healthcare companies and doctors looking at it,” he claimed, before pivoting to attacking opponents.
Critics argue that Trump’s inability to deliver on healthcare reform contrasts sharply with the internet’s perception of Mangione as a man who took matters into his own hands—albeit in a shocking and violent manner.
Mangione’s next steps
While Mangione’s defense attorney has declared his client will plead not guilty, the suspect’s manifesto and alleged actions have fueled the online conversation. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch described Mangione’s writings as “anti-corporatist,” reflecting deep grievances with the healthcare system.
As Mangione’s case unfolds, the internet’s obsession shows no signs of waning. Whether hailed as a hero or vilified as a criminal, his story has struck a nerve, amplifying the debate about who truly fights for the average American: a polarizing former president or a man charged with murder.
