In a dramatic premeditated killing that took place in the middle of the busiest city in American during daylight hours, Luigi Mangione murdered UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and then escaped – beginning a major manhunt that ended in the capture and arrest of Mangione. At the time of his arrest, a manifesto outlining grievances with the healthcare industry was found while America watched this story with outsized interest.
It is hard to find someone who does not have a grievance with the health insurance industry. Many Americans find the idea that Mangione’s issues with his health coverage drove him to commit murder relatable, and nearly a quarter of our study sample endorsed being at least somewhat sympathetic to him.
Note: Figures are weighted to match population proportions with respect to age and political affiliation.
As you can clearly see in the figure above, people who identify as more liberal are more likely to express sympathy for Mangione (48% expressing ‘a moderate amount’ or ‘a lot’ of sympathy). A similar trend is seen when examining sympathy by age – with those under 30 expressing far more sympathy for Mangione (42%) than older people, and the 65+ crowd expressing almost no sympathy whatsoever. By contrast, as shown below, other demographic factors such as gender, income, and education are unrelated to the amount of sympathy expressed.
Note: Figures are weighted to match population proportions with respect to age and political affiliation.
A thematic analysis conducted with Engage allowed us to dig into the drivers of the sympathy expressed. It was clear that their sympathy was rooted in their personal experiences with healthcare and a shared sense of injustice. They found his situation relatable and spoke about people driven to desperate action by issues with the healthcare system. Some even saw him as a symbol of hope in this struggle, a martyr who gave up a position of privilege to fight this battle for people like them. As a 31-year-old Asian man put it, “He’s quite literally fighting for people like me and that’s a good thing. I haven’t cheered for someone like this since Bernie Sanders was running for president. ‘Eat the rich’ as the kids say. And a 23-year-old Latino man shares Mangione’s sentiment: “I see his rage and anger, it is just. He truly wants to show the world that insurance needs to be changed, and he wants to do it by sending home a message. He did not do the best thing but it surely will wake up this world.”
Support for a Killer?
But what about taking the far more drastic step of murdering Brian Thompson in broad daylight? We actually find that about 11% of participants said they were ‘supportive’ or ‘very supportive’ of the murder, and 32% of participants saying they were at least ‘a little bit’ supportive. Once again, the groups who had expressed sympathy were the main drivers of these figures, with a full 25% of people who self-identified as liberal supportive or very supportive of the act, and a majority (54%) at least a little supportive. Young people are also supportive, with 23% of people aged 18-29 supportive or very supportive, and a majority (61%) at least a little supportive.
Note: Figures are weighted to match population proportions with respect to age and political affiliation.
How do we explain these shocking figures? In many respects, it’s simply a more extreme manifestation of the themes voiced by those who felt sympathy for Mangione. People who endorsed the murder went way beyond having grievances with the healthcare system – they described healthcare as corrupt, profit-driven, and fundamentally broken. From their perspective, Brian Thompson is a symbol of corporate greed and attacking him is striking a blow against injustice. Though some individuals wrestled with the immorality of their support, they ultimately deemed it justified, believing the failed system had inflicted immense suffering. For example, here is a quote from a 25 year-old African-American woman: “The sheer amount of death and destruction wrought by UnitedHealth, and the rich profits that people like its CEO have generated as a result, is abhorrent. Sometimes, violence is a necessary element of liberatory political projects. The ruling class must reap what they sow to force change.”
The Winds of Change?
Clearly, a sizable portion of the country believes their healthcare system is in need of profound alteration. In a moment where the winds of change have intensified into a hurricane, Mangione’s killing of Thompson has struck a chord with many Americans. More than half of the participants expressed that America’s healthcare system is too driven by profit and suffers from major issues with access and affordability. Almost a third described the healthcare system as exploitative, and nearly 13% felt it lacks empathy in its delivery of care.
But does any of this justify murder? For nearly 1 in 10 Americans, the answer appears to be yes. Will the healthcare industry heed the people’s frustrations and change their ways? Only time will tell whether this tragic incident will serve as a wake-up call that drives meaningful reform.
In-Depth Voter Interviews from Engage
To provide more insight into what Engage is and how it works, our research team at CloudResearch has selected interview transcripts that stood out to us.
44-year-old White woman, Democrat
To get started, I'd like to understand your overall thoughts on the incident involving Luigi Mangione and Brian Thompson. Can you describe your initial reaction to the news when you heard about it?
My initial reaction was surprise that the CEO didn't have security. However, I was not at all surprised that the CEO of a health insurance company was targeted. The US healthcare system is falling apart, people can no longer afford care, even WITH health insurance, and the health insurance companies have the blood of thousands if not millions of Americans on their hands.
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Thank you for sharing your perspective. It seems like you have a lot of frustration with the state of the U.S. healthcare system. Can you tell me about a specific time when you or someone you know experienced a challenge with the healthcare system that contributed to these feelings?
I lived in Canada for 15 years of my adult life. While there, I was able to access healthcare for myself and my children at no cost to us. When I moved back to the US, I was astonished at the monthly healthcare insurance premiums. And if that isn't bad enough, it only covers PART of your healthcare, and that's only IF the healthcare insurance company deems it necessary. It's a screwed up system and I understand the frustration with it.
Your experience in Canada seems to have greatly shaped your perspective, and moving back to the U.S. must have been quite a cultural shock regarding healthcare. Was there a specific instance when you moved back to the US where you felt the healthcare insurance company was interfering with your healthcare needs? If so, could you help me understand how it affected you or your family?
Not interfering. However, when my daughter was hospitalized for appendicitis, I was floored to find out that we would owe $20,000 PLUS have to meet the deductible for our insurance plan, PLUS the insurance wouldn't cover many of the various things billed to us.
Do you feel any sympathy towards Luigi Mangione?
1 No sympathy at all
2 Very little sympathy
3 Some sympathy
4 A moderate amount of sympathy
5 A lot of sympathy
5 A lot of sympathy
It's interesting to hear you express strong sympathy towards Luigi Mangione. Could you please elaborate more on what specifically evokes that feeling? What emotions surface for you when you think about him in relation to this incident?
I understand why he did what he did, even though I wouldn't have made that choice myself. As someone living with chronic pain, and smart enough to see the systemic problems within the health insurance system, my heart goes out to him and the pain he endures mentally and physically.
I see, so your personal experiences seem to resonate with Luigi Mangione's situation. Was there any specific piece of information about Mangione's circumstances that particularly influenced your sympathies towards him? For example, the mental and physical pain he's experiencing you mentioned earlier?
I also live with chronic back pain. I know it can change your perspective on life and the world.
I can see how your shared experience of living with chronic back pain may link you emotionally with Mangione's situation. Do you believe these personal experiences make you feel more deeply about Luigi Mangione's circumstances compared to if you were looking at his case without such a connection?
No, but it definitely gives me a deeper understanding of his potential motivations.
Does Mangione's background and circumstances influence your view of the situation? Can you elaborate on this?
Not really. I was surprised to hear he came from a wealthy family. But otherwise, nothing about his background influences my view of the situation.
Does the state of healthcare in the US influence your view of the situation? Can you elaborate on this?
Yes, absolutely. The system is broken. We need universal healthcare now. We need to eliminate the power that health insurance companies have to 1) determine whether someone needs a treatment, test, or care for specific reasons and 2) only pay some of the costs. Why do they exist if they don't even help people pay for medical care? The truth is, healthcare costs in the country are skyrocketing BECAUSE OF health insurance companies. They don't save anyone any money; they only make the rich richer.
Given what you know about the case, how much do you support Mangione's decision to murder Thompson?
1 Not at all supportive
2 A little bit supportive
3 Fairly supportive
4 Supportive
5 Very supportive
4 Supportive
I appreciate your honesty. The complexities of this situation are certainly thought-provoking. When you say you support Mangione's decision, could you clarify what makes you think so? Do you view his action as justified considering his circumstances?
Although we are told violence isn't the answer, it IS the only answer when politicians and CEOs don't listen to American people and what they want. I am sick and tired of the government being owned by corporations; by the American people being ignored. Violence is the only way to get them to listen, and even then I doubt it'll inspire change unless more of us realize there are more of us than them (the 1%) and WE hold the power.
It sounds like you're expressing a level of frustration that mirrors what many may feel about systemic healthcare issues in the US. What are some specific frustrations that you think other people might commonly face in the healthcare system that could potentially lead to such extreme actions?
Not having the money to pay for life-saving or life-improving healthcare can radicalize anyone. Especially if it's a loved one who is suffering because you can't afford the care they need, despite having health insurance.
I understand your perspective. It seems that financial barriers to healthcare can potentially lead individuals to take drastic measures. In your opinion, how can society better understand and address these grievances for those dealing with systemic healthcare issues?
I think society understands it well enough already. We need universal healthcare, and we need it now.
29-year-old White man, Republican
To get started, I'd like to understand your overall thoughts on the incident involving Luigi Mangione and Brian Thompson. Can you describe your initial reaction to the news when you heard about it?
Good riddance to the CEO and Luigi is a hero of the common folk, real change to health care can only come when you take matters into your own hands and the CEO had murdered far more people by denying others health care coverage while raking in billions.
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Thank you for your candid response. Now, I'd like to dive a bit deeper. What specifically about this news triggered your reaction that you've described? Can you elaborate a bit on the elements that lead to these feelings?
Health care is a scam, run by greedy people and corporations at the expense of a human being's life. Health care should never be for profit, should not involve middlemen organizations and is a right, not a privilege.
I appreciate your perspective. Can you talk a little about how you felt immediately after hearing the news and whether your feelings have changed or evolved with time and reflection?
I was happy that someone took the initiative to start a real change in health care and to put everyone's attention on health care reform. I couldn't care less about some rich CEO being killed.
Thank you for sharing your feelings with me. Now, taking a step back, was there anything in particular about the way the media covered this incident that stood out to you? How do you think the media coverage influenced your perspective on the incident?
The media tried their hardest to make Luigi the villain and the CEO to be some innocent bystander. They painted the scenario as being a cold-blooded murder and downplayed the significance of what truly happened. Media bias made me more supportive of Luigi and his actions, rooting for him as an antihero.
I understand, media portrayal can indeed have a big impact on our perceptions. Now, you mentioned that you view Luigi as an "antihero". In your personal experiences or in previous news that you've encountered, have there been similar instances where someone defied conventions or tackled the system, causing you to support them? If so, could you share these past incidents that might have shaped your reactions to this news?
I cannot bring to mind anyone off the top of my head. The Unabomber comes to mind, but I never rooted for him or took any interest in his cause.
Do you feel any sympathy towards Luigi Mangione?
1 No sympathy at all
2 Very little sympathy
3 Some sympathy
4 A moderate amount of sympathy
5 A lot of sympathy
5 A lot of sympathy
Thanks for sharing. Could you please elaborate more on why you feel a lot of sympathy towards Luigi Mangione? What specifically about his situation or actions evokes these feelings for you?
He had a privileged lifestyle that was affected by inadequate health care, that led him to sacrifice his well-being to bring about real change and attention to an issue that will affect everyone in the US going forward.
Thank you for elaborating on that. In reflecting on his actions and the impact it had, are there any particular emotions that surface for you?
I feel sympathy with him, pity towards his situation, anger at the CEO and his cronies, and frustration and contempt towards the greedy middlemen in health care.
I appreciate your honesty in sharing those emotions. You mentioned before about Luigi's privileged background and his health issue, did those factors specifically shift your view or deepen your sympathy towards him—if so, how?
They did not, they are merely details of his life and surrounding circumstances.
Does Mangione's background and circumstances influence your view of the situation? Can you elaborate on this?
They did not influence my view of him. He could have been anyone from anywhere and I would still have a positive view of his actions.
Does the state of healthcare in the US influence your view of the situation? Can you elaborate on this?
Yes, that is the main cause for everyone celebrating and rooting for him. Health care costs far too much, being the leading cause of debt, and is an overwhelming burden of stress on the common citizen.
Given what you know about the case, how much do you support Mangione's decision to murder Thompson?
1 Not at all supportive
2 A little bit supportive
3 Fairly supportive
4 Supportive
5 Very supportive
5 Very supportive
Thank you for your response. I'd like to delve into some specifics. In your view, what explicit frustrations do you think people oftentimes confront in the healthcare system that could lead them to take drastic actions?
As I said, poor coverage, inadequate assistance, going into debt, the stress of worrying about care and future bills, etc.
You've articulated significant frustrations many people share about the healthcare system. In your opinion, how can society better understand and address grievances of individuals grappling with systemic healthcare issues?
Society already understands what needs to change. It is the corporations and meddling, corrupt, greedy, and condescending corporations that need to learn a lesson. Health care is a right for every citizen and should never be for profit.
I understand your perspective and it's clear that you have a strong opinion about corporations' involvement in healthcare. Now, considering the actions of Mangione, do you believe there are other ways he could have made a significant impact on highlighting the healthcare issue without resorting to violence?
No, nothing would have made as big an impact as he has done. Revolutionary changes can only come about from violence and revolt. Only then do others start to pay attention to the message.
47-year-old White woman, Democrat
To get started, I'd like to understand your overall thoughts on the incident involving Luigi Mangione and Brian Thompson. Can you describe your initial reaction to the news when you heard about it?
I was shocked, and very conflicted. I think it's inherently wrong to take another human life, but I also believe in justice. The CEO caused so many deaths, I can't help but empathize with Luigi on some level.
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Your reaction to these events clearly embodies strong and mixed emotions. You mentioned you felt shocked and conflicted, which I believe warrants some exploration. What specifically about the news of Luigi Mangione and Brian Thompson caused you to feel shocked?
This isn't something that has happened before. I also feel that it may be the beginning of more vigilante justice events happening. I worry for our country.
It's clear that this incident has stirred your concerns about potential future events and the state of our country. What stands out most from this incident or subsequent news coverage that has left you apprehensive about the potential onset of more vigilante justice incidents?
The vast amount of people on social media in support of this action is what leads me to assume that there is more to come.
Social media indeed has a large role in reflecting and influencing public sentiment. In those responses you heard or read on social media, can you recall any specific comment or general theme that particularly resonated with you or amplified your own fears about more incidents of this nature occurring?
Nothing specific comes to mind, it just seems to be the general consensus.
I see. As a member of the public, how would you compare your reaction to this incident with other similar events you've heard about in the past? Are there any incidents that come to mind that had a similar impact on you?
Recently I saw a picture going around of a person's truck with a decal on the back showing Kamala Harris bound and gagged in the trunk.
The incident involving the decal of Kamala Harris that you connected with the Luigi-Brian event is indeed alarming. Can you share how you felt when you saw that picture, and the context for equating it with this case?
I felt shocked and disgusted. As for the comparison to the Luigi incident, I felt shocked and worried for our country.
Do you feel any sympathy towards Luigi Mangione?
1 No sympathy at all
2 Very little sympathy
3 Some sympathy
4 A moderate amount of sympathy
5 A lot of sympathy
4 A moderate amount of sympathy
You mentioned that you have a moderate amount of sympathy towards Luigi Mangione. Could you describe what specifically evokes that feeling?
The things he went through regarding his experience with healthcare is very sad.
It seems like the difficulties Luigi had with healthcare deeply resonate with you. Can you share more about how this specific aspect of his experience had an impact on your sympathy towards him?
I am not in the best financial position, and if we had health issues our insurance wouldn't cover, it would be devastating.
That sounds really tough. It sounds like you feel a commonality with Luigi due to your own financial challenges with regards to healthcare. When you think about Luigi's situation, what emotions surface for you?
Fear, worry, sadness.
Does Mangione's background and circumstances influence your view of the situation? Can you elaborate on this?
I don't know many specifics on his background. I've read different things regarding the issues being about his and his mother both having issues?
Indeed, Luigi Mangione's mother's struggle with cancer, which allegedly led to their family bankruptcy due to the expensive medical bills, is a significant part of his background.
Considering these aspects of his and his family's circumstances, how do they influence your understanding of his motivations, and ultimately, your sympathy towards him?
It's maddening that there are people that are in a position to help people receive life-saving care but have the power and ability to deny that care.
Does the state of healthcare in the US influence your view of the situation? Can you elaborate on this?
I believe healthcare should be both more affordable and accessible. We should take a lesson from other countries that provide universal healthcare.
You mentioned that the state of healthcare in the US, specifically its lack of affordability and accessibility, significantly impacts your perception of this situation. Could you discuss an instance or observation that particularly highlighted these issues for you, prompting you to advocate for universal healthcare?
Just the high costs in general. It's very difficult to afford things. Also, it's very complicated to navigate insurance.
Can you share more about your experiences with the complexity of navigating the healthcare system? Have there been times when you've found it particularly confusing or burdensome, and how did that influence your views on healthcare reform?
I have had experience needing to be on the phone and internet for hours trying to find providers that both were in a reasonable driving distance and also accepted our insurance.
That does sound like a very frustrating and difficult scenario. How has this exploration and struggle in finding accessible and affordable care affected your view of Mangione's actions?
I feel that he is human and reached a point of desperation.
Given what you know about the case, how much do you support Mangione's decision to murder Thompson?
1 Not at all supportive
2 A little bit supportive
3 Fairly supportive
4 Supportive
5 Very supportive
2 A little bit supportive
You've mentioned that you support Mangione's decision a little bit. Can you share what are those aspects of the situation that lead you to have this level of support despite the extreme action Mangione took?
It's very difficult to support murder. I feel like "empathize" might be the better word.
Thank you for the clarification. Now, given the complexities of the healthcare system and the frustrations you've expressed, could you share some insights into what specific challenges might drive individuals, like Mangione, to such extreme actions?
I think when you or a loved one is experiencing health issues, it becomes a completely frightening and desperate situation. Fear and anger can blur the line between right and wrong.
Indeed, fear and desperation can sometimes lead individuals to extreme actions. However, I hear you holding onto the belief that murder is a grave act. This brings me to a sensitive area. Do you think that any part of Mangione's actions can be justified considering his and his mother's healthcare experiences?
Maybe slightly justifiable. It's a hard thing to say.
28-year-old Latina woman, Independent
To get started, I'd like to understand your overall thoughts on the incident involving Luigi Mangione and Brian Thompson. Can you describe your initial reaction to the news when you heard about it?
Both interesting and exciting.
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It's interesting that you found the incident both interesting and exciting. Can you elaborate more on what specifically about this news triggered such a reaction? Also, can you walk me through your thought process after you heard the news?
I mean I didn't feel guilt about it. I think he did the quiet part aloud and it shocked people sure, but it also had a justice feeling to it.
Thank you for your honesty. I hear that you are describing a feeling of perhaps some shock, but also a sense of justice. Can you elaborate more on the feelings of justice that you experienced, what triggered these specific feelings? Also, how has your perspective evolved over time, if at all, after reflecting on this incident?
I would say as a community it felt like an act of justice. So many people battle insurance on things they are willing or not willing to cover. Like if I got shot in the arm but I could technically drive myself to the hospital, it is likely that my EMS ride would not be covered. If a family member has a heart attack but there was someone else there to take them, then the EMS drive is not justified and won't be covered. There's a laundry list of scenarios like this, which makes the consumer feel like, why TF am I even paying for the insurance when that's literally your job to help cover medical expenses.
Now focusing on the media coverage of this incident: Was there anything in particular that stood out to you in the way the media portrayed Luigi Mangione and the incident? And do you think it influenced your perspective in any way?
I don't feel as though he was portrayed negatively if that's what you're looking for. As I said, it felt more like an act of justice for a community as a whole even if there was a personal motive behind it. The incident hit close to home for others too, like karma, so people didn't blink twice. When I mentioned shock, I also didn't mean that in a negative way. I'm sure he wasn't the only man who had the thought, but as I said, he did the quiet part aloud and turned his thought into action.
Do you feel any sympathy towards Luigi Mangione?
1 No sympathy at all
2 Very little sympathy
3 Some sympathy
4 A moderate amount of sympathy
5 A lot of sympathy
3 Some sympathy
Thank you for your candor. Can you delve into why you feel some sympathy towards Luigi Mangione? What specific aspects of his situation or story evoke that feeling?
It's hard to explain. I don't feel bad that he did it, I feel more bad about his situation. Like sure he grew up well off, but bottom line is your insurance should cover things medically necessary, and often times it just feels like a business to get more money. I'm already paying $400+ a month on medical alone. Why do I also have to meet a deductible and put down another $500 just to be seen at the ER?
I appreciate your openness in sharing your viewpoint. You've mentioned the frustration towards the insurance system more broadly. Is this frustration impacting your feelings of sympathy towards Mangione as an individual, and if so, how?
I mean I feel bad for his situation before the incident, but at the end of the day he did what he did and got caught. I, and most of America, would agree that if we saw him we would just look the other way. At this point it's more of a message.
My next question is around Mangione's personal circumstances. Was there any specific piece of information about Luigi Mangione that has particularly impacted your perception or feelings about him? Could you elaborate on that?
No, there was not any specific information about Luigi that impacted my perception about him.
Does Mangione's background and circumstances influence your view of the situation? Can you elaborate on this?
No, bottom line is if I'm paying for insurance and something is medically necessary, the insurance should be covering or helping in coverage for treatments.
Does the state of healthcare in the US influence your view of the situation? Can you elaborate on this?
Yes, refer back to my previous examples of instances where insurance should play a role but they feel like they do not. To throw out another here, insurance also doesn't always cover cancer treatments. I don't understand why. No sane person would be putting themselves through this treatment unless medically necessary, but there are situations where the insurance won't cover it and leaves the patient to pay fully out of pocket. So now not only am I medically limited, I'm now financially burdened.
Given what you know about the case, how much do you support Mangione's decision to murder Thompson?
1 Not at all supportive
2 A little bit supportive
3 Fairly supportive
4 Supportive
5 Very supportive
4 Supportive
Can you describe what specifically has led you to support Mangione's drastic action against Thompson?
Simply put, actions speak louder than words, and someone actually doing something about it causes fear amongst others. Look at BCBS for example. They had just announced they planned to put limitations on anesthesiology and will only cover for so long. First, they aren't medically trained to decide how long a surgery should be, and second, once this news broke they retracted that policy rollout and made a statement that they wouldn't pay less.
