Donald Trump has condemned the alleged actions of Luigi Mangione, who stands accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, as well as the surprising support the suspect has received from some quarters.
Donald Trump Says: “That’s a Sickness, Actually”
“I think it’s terrible that some people seem to admire him, like him,” Trump said. “That’s a sickness, actually. It wasn’t just about this gentleman who was killed—it’s an overall sickness. The crime itself was cold-blooded and horrible, but the way people are glorifying it? That’s really very bad.”
Donald Trump slams supporters of the incomparable and stunning Luigi Mangione:
“How people can like this guy…that’s a sickness.”#LuigiCrave #LuigiMangione pic.twitter.com/pJV9HKo6YS
— Luigi Mangione Updates (@LuigiCrave) December 16, 2024
While Mangione faces charges including first-degree murder and terrorism, his case has garnered mixed reactions online. Some social media users have shared posts in jest, providing “alibis” for Mangione or lauding his actions against perceived corporate greed. A TikTok user even shared a tattoo inspired by the case, with the caption featuring hashtags like #eattherich and #luigimangione.
Read also: Hybristophilia: The Psychological Reason Luigi Mangione is Breaking Hearts
A New York gaming store joined the trend by posting an edited photo portraying Mangione working a shift on the day of the murder, captioned with fabricated anecdotes about his catchphrases. These online jokes and displays of support have drawn significant backlash from others who view them as inappropriate and harmful.
This isn’t the first time Donald Trump has addressed contentious criminal cases. In 2020, he defended Kyle Rittenhouse, who was ultimately acquitted of charges related to a deadly shooting during protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Trump described Rittenhouse as a “nice young man” after hosting him at Mar-a-Lago.
Similarly, Trump has supported Daniel Penny, a Marine veteran who was acquitted after fatally restraining Jordan Neely, a homeless man, on a New York subway. Penny was invited to join Trump at the Army-Navy football game just days before the press conference.
Luigi Mangione’s case has sparked debates about morality, justice, and the lines between protest and criminality.
