Poll shows alarming amount of American youth found Luigi Mangione’s alleged murder of Brian Thompson ‘acceptable’

Luigi Mangione’s alleged murder of a CEO ripped open a fiery can of worms we weren’t expecting. But the drama may only just be beginning.

The death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson ignited a firestorm of public discourse and ripped open a can of worms we weren’t expecting to see going into the cheery holiday period.

That’s right, we’re talking about an alleged extrajudicial murder this Christmas.

The alleged DIY assassination on the streets of New York ripped open America’s deep-seated frustrations with the healthcare industry for all to see, sparking a complex debate on morality and justice and exactly what is “right”.

We’ve all seen the memes. All seven million of them.

Luigi Mangione became a cult figure overnight. Countless young women openly fawned over his dashing Italian features while countless others hailed him a hero of the people — a modern day, corporate-era Ned Kelly who stuck it to the man.

The story will continue to bounce around the news cycle as the inevitable Netflix documentary is released, along with Mangione’s hotly anticipated trial.

The death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson ignited a firestorm of public discourse and ripped open a can of worms we weren’t expecting to see going into the cheery holiday period.

When Mangione was apprehended, he had a 9 mm handgun with a 3D-printed receiver, a homemade silencer, two ammunition magazines and live cartridges.

The question over extrajudicial killings has hung over the macabre course of events, with millions divided over how they feel about it all.

No matter which way you slice it, a father-of-two died in public when Mangione, a man allegedly pulled the trigger.

The whimsical discourse surrounding the circumstances has dominated discussion amongst young people, with a new study now showing 41 per cent of 18 to 29-year-olds in the US deem Mangione’s alleged actions “acceptable” given UnitedHealthcare’s polarising track record for approving claims.

The Emerson College poll indicates that while a majority of voters (68 per cent) deem the alleged actions unacceptable, but once you zoom in on the youth vote, it becomes clear just how disillusioned under-30s are with corporate America.

Just 40 per cent voted that they thought Mangione’s alleged actions were “unacceptable”.

A new study now showing 41 per cent of 18 to 29-year-olds in the US deem Mangione’s actions ‘acceptable’.

The next question, given the widespread appreciation of Mangione online, is the grim prospect we will see a similar incident play out with another high ranking corporate figure.

The purported idea of a justice system in a civilised world is to reduce the need for private civilians to take matters into their own hands, but the raucous approval of Mangione has exposed just how many people in the US feel it is reasonable for people to allegedly commit murder, as long as the target is justified in their mind.

It’s a bit of a grey area we’ve waded into, isn’t it?

The poll also revealed that 22 per cent of Democrats find the alleged actions acceptable, compared to 12 per cent of Republicans and 16 per cent of independents.

The partisan split has once again shone a light on complex interplay between political ideology and moral judgment in the American public.

Social media has also played a big role in how people form their ideas. Memes praising Mangione flooded the reels of every social media application and became places where people could complain about America’s broken healthcare system, sharing personal stories of denied claims and alleged exploitation.

Mangione charged for ‘act of terrorism’

Mangione has now been charged with committing “murder as an act of terrorism”.

The upgraded charges against the 26-year-old were announced, today, by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.“Luigi Mangione, the defendant, is charged with one count of murder in the first degree and two counts of murder in the second degree, including one count of murder in the second degree as an act of terrorism, for the brazen, targeted and premeditated shooting of Brian Thompson,” Mr Bragg said.

“This type of premeditated, targeted gun violence cannot and will not be tolerated, and my office has been working day in and day out to bring the defendant to justice.”

In addition to the murder counts, Mangione faces eight gun-related charges.The terrorism charge derives from section 490.25 of New York’s penal code.

“A person is guilty of a crime of terrorism when, with intent to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence the policy of a unit of government by intimidation or coercion, or affect the conduct of a unit of government by murder, assassination or kidnapping, he or she commits a specified offence,” the code states.

The triggering offence, in this case, would be second-degree murder.

Mangione has now been charged with committing ‘murder as an act of terrorism’.

US President-elect Donald Trump also addressed the phenomenon of some Americans lionising the alleged assassin.

Since he was arrested, donations have poured in to fund his legal defence, with some supporters describing the alleged murder as “justifiable”. Other Americans have been venting their frustration at the country’s health insurance system, accusing insurance companies of seeking any excuse to deny legitimate claims.

During a press conference, Mr Trump was asked for his thoughts on the “reaction” surrounding Mangione, who has also been held up in some quarters as a sort of bizarre sex symbol.

“I think it’s a terrible thing,” Mr Trump said.

“I think it’s really terrible that some people seem to admire him, like him.”

The incoming president said he was glad the response “wasn’t specific to this gentleman who was killed”, adding it was “an overall sickness as opposed to a specific sickness”.

Originally published as Poll shows alarming amount of American youth found Luigi Mangione’s alleged murder of Brian Thompson ‘acceptable’