Podcast host Joe Rogan didn't hold back on his thoughts about the health insurance industry following the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, calling the business "gross" and speculating about the motive of the shooter.
Brian Thompson, 50, was gunned down outside a Midtown Manhattan Hilton hotel last Wednesday, sparking nationwide discourse about insurance industry practices. His accused killer, Luigi Mangione, 26, was charged with second-degree murder following his arrest Monday in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Rogan weighed in on the assassination during Tuesday's episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, recorded before Mangione's arrest.
"It's a dirty, dirty business," Rogan said, criticizing the insurance industry. "The business of insurance is f–king gross." Rogan pointed to UnitedHealthcare's high claim denial rates. ValuePenguin research shows the company denies about one-third of claims—the highest among U.S. health insurers.
While discussing the alleged shooter, Rogan hypothesized, "I don't think this guy was a professional. I think this guy, if I had to guess, [is] some guy [who] got f–ked over."
Guest Roger Avary, a film director, added his perspective, saying, "I don't think anybody's going to be crying too hard over that guy," referring to Thompson. Rogan acknowledged Thompson's family would mourn him, "but that's about it."
The episode drew attention as information about Mangione's background came to light. A former valedictorian from the prestigious Gilman School in Maryland, Mangione earned a combined bachelor's and master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2020, according to his LinkedIn.
Mangione appeared in a Pennsylvania court for an extradition hearing Tuesday, where he shouted at reporters, "It is completely out of touch and an insult to the intelligence of the American people." He is being held without bail and has not yet entered a plea. However, Mangione's lawyer, Thomas Dickey, says Mangione plans to plead not guilty.
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