Sam Taunton’s awkward joke about murder of UnitedHealthcare chief executive officer Brian Thompson

The comedian cracked a controversial joke about the murder of UnitedHealthcare chief executive officer Brian Thompson.

Comedian Sam Taunton left his co-hosts on The Project speechless after he cracked a joke about the death of UnitedHealthcare chief executive.

Brian Thompson, 50, was fatally shot on Wednesday morning while walking to the Hilton in New York, where he was attending a conference for UnitedHealthcare.

The bullets used in the killing had the words “delay, deny, defend” engraved on them.

Monopoly money was found in what’s believed to have been the gunman’s backpack in Central Park, with Taunton cracking a joke while discussing the story on The Project on Monday night.

UnitedHealthcare chief executive officer Brian Thompson was killed in a New York street while walking to the Hilton. Picture: UnitedHealth Group

“Well let’s hope there’s not a ‘get out of jail free’ card in that backpack, cause he might go free,” Taunton said.

An awkward silence ensued, with a few audience members laughing along.

“That’s nice,” Steve Price replied after a few beats.

“Thanks Pricey,” Taunton said, with Sarah Harris moving things along.

“Thanks for bringing it home for us Sammy,” Harris said.

Sam Taunton cracked a joke about the murder of UnitedHealthcare chief executive officer Brian Thompson. Picture: The Project.

Taunton’s joke was met with an awkward silence. Picture: Supplied.

The panel had earlier been discussing the public’s reaction to the murder, with Price pointing out how people were “talking about how good looking the killer is”.

“I suppose it goes back to the fact in the US that it’s hard to get medical insurance,” Price said.

Luigi Mangione has been arrested in relation to the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Picture: Facebook.

The 26-year-old was arrested following a tip off from a McDonalds employee. Picture: NYPD

A 26-year-old man has now been arrested in relation to the murder.

Luigi Mangione was arrested at a Pennsylvania McDonalds after a tip-off from an employee, with New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch telling the media Mr Mangione was found with a “handwritten document which speaks to both his motivation and mindset”.

He was reportedly found with a ghost gun that could have been made from a 3D printer.