How's it going, America,
Check out our latest episode of The Pod Millennial! I talk to Rachel Reeves about pregnancy past 40 and how there's no right—or wrong— time to have a baby. New episodes drop every Tuesday! Listen, rate (5 stars, of course!), and subscribe!
Let's get into it:
Luigi Mangione was in federal court on Friday, where he plead guilty to federal stalking charges resulting in death. The 28-year-old read a statement in court where he admitted to killing United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024. Supporters of the now-confessed killer were undeterred.
Even after he pleaded guilty, a legal fundraiser saw additional donations. Posts on the fundraising page spoke of continued support, urging him not to lose hope, and assuring him that he'd be released from prison someday. Outside the courthouse, young women cried and held each other for comfort.
Thompson's killing crystallized the anger that many Americans have about the health insurance industry, which puts high premiums on accessing health care and can often be convoluted, confusing, and seem to fall apart right when patients need it most. They view Mangione as a vigilante who took on the health insurance industry and won, even though all he did was kill a man.
The celebration of the assassin has become part of what some, such as The Post Millennial's Andy Ngo, call an assassination culture. Would-be assassins took aim at President Trump while he was on the campaign trail and since he became president. Charlie Kirk was assassinated in September 2025 and in reaction to that, his killer, who is currently facing trial, has also been gruesomely celebrated. An angry public has celebrated killing to make a point for their political cause du jour.
NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch addressed the Mangione-stans, saying "violence is not a cause, murder is not a message, and a killer is certainly not a hero." Thompson's wife was in the courtroom. After the plea was entered, the family gave a statement, saying it was an "important step toward justice" and that they "look to the court to ensure that sentencing reflects the severity of this crime."
Mangione has become a hero over what people see as his standing up to the health insurance industry, but what was really the cold-blooded murder of a husband and father. The admitted killer claimed that he undertook the killing "after years of enduring severe pain from a broken back, navigating the obstacles of the health insurance system, and witnessing similar experiences of countless others."
He said that he knew about the annual investor conference that Thompson would be attending and admitted that he traveled to New York City, contacted United Healthcare pretending to be an investor to gain information about the meeting, noting that they got back to him quickly, and then used a 3-D printer to make gun parts. "My travel to New York and email to United Healthcare was with the intent to shoot Brian Thompson," he told the court.
"On the morning of December 4, 2024, I shot Mr. Thompson in Manhattan and he died. When I did so, I understood that my actions would place him in fear of death or serious bodily injury. I knew what I was doing was illegal," Mangione said.
In response to Mangione's statement of guilt, US Attorney Jamie McDonald spoke in a press conference outside the court, saying, "The defendant committed this murder in an attempt to draw public attention to his dislike of certain businesses. But we live in a civilized society governed by the rule of law." McDonald said "No grievance, political belief, or ideological cause can ever justify murder. With today’s guilty plea, Mangione is being held accountable for a heinous crime that claimed an innocent life and drew national attention."
He went on to say, "There can be no celebrity in assassination. Any person who celebrates, encourages, or excuses actions like these is fundamentally wrong."
Mangione had previously said he was not guilty, but the new defense tactic is to admit to the federal charges and try to get out of a state-level trial. Mangione's lawyers tried to get the state charges thrown out over double jeopardy. He is slated to face state charges in the killing of Thompson in September and will be sentenced for the federal crimes in December.
Libby