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The Canonization of Luigi Mangione
The assassination of the CEO of HealthUnited shocked the world. Then the world applauded.
The assassination of Brian Thompson, the CEO of HealthUnited (one of the largest and most vile entities in the health insurance field), shocked the world. Then the world applauded.
During the manhunt for Thompson’s killer, and in the days since the alleged suspect, Luigi Mangione, was captured, something of a fever gripped the hearts of millions: a belief that one person can make a difference seemed suddenly justified. Millions started sharing supportive words and memes online, artists produced work that showcased Luigi’s face to the world, and the court of public opinion became one so decidedly pro-assassination that it took the mainstream pundits completely by surprise.
The question isn’t: “was this justified,” the question is, “what does it mean that so many believe it was?”
In response, the powers that be have thrown their full weight behind the concept of law and order, attempting to highlight the concept that no murder can be acceptable, and that anyone whose actions lead to the death of another person must be held responsible. Apparently, they missed the irony that this is exactly what the vast majority of Americans seem to believe happened when Thompson was killed.
Furthermore, entities purported to be acting on behalf of UnitedHealth have started skimming the Internet for merchandise based on Luigi, and filing bogus copyright takedown requests in an attempt to halt the rise of public fervor for the alleged assassin.
Now, we’ve learned that Luigi Mangione has been indicted on a terrorism charge — which has rapidly become the United States’ most intense charge, easily outstripping the relatively mundane act of murder (yes, I’m being sarcastic).
The question isn’t: “was this justified,” the question is, “what does it mean that so many believe it was?” In the media, we’re seeing powerful officials from every sector decry both the murder and the public’s widespread reaction to it — but in all of these cases there is an appeal to the concept of “law and order” as the reason why the killing…
