A slew of social media users were outraged after Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced Luigi Mangione would be charged with murder as an act of terrorism for allegedly killing UnitedHealthcare's CEO Brian Thompson in New York City on Dec. 4.
"This was a frightening, well-planned targeted murder that was intended to cause shock, attention and intimidation," Bragg said during a news conference on Tuesday.
"In its most basic terms, this was a killing that was intended to provoke terror, and we've seen that reaction. This was not an ordinary killing. ... This was extraordinary," he continued.
Mangione was indicted on charges of first- and second-degree murder, along with several other related offenses. He faces life in prison without parole if convicted on the terrorism charge, the New York Post reported, and 25 years to life in prison if charged with second-degree murder.
While some social media users were baffled by the charge, others highlighted how Thompson's death has stoked the fire of social justice.
"If Luigi had shot anyone but a CEO, the government would not be calling it terrorism," X user @esjesjesj posted.
If Luigi had shot anyone but a CEO, the government would not be calling it terrorism.
— evan loves worf (@esjesjesj) December 17, 2024
"It is wild that the penalty for murder depends on how much wealth the victim has," comedian @katewillett remarked.
It is wild that the penalty for murder depends on how much wealth the victim has. https://t.co/dXrVySD30C
— Kate Willett (@katewillett) December 17, 2024
"Sorry, I cannot get over the DA classifying a private healthcare corporation as a 'unit of government'. One of the most mask off moments I have ever seen from the ruling class," user @SxarletRed wrote.
Sorry, I cannot get over the DA classifying a private healthcare corporation as a “unit of government”. One of the most mask off moments I have ever seen from the ruling class. https://t.co/uz9jLQkgtL
— barbarism critic 🙂↔️🇵🇸✨ (@SxarletRed) December 17, 2024
"They'll charge Luigi with terrorism but not Dylann Roof or the 2022 Buffalo shooter. Both of whom had a manifesto with a clear political agenda.
I think it's clear that the U.S. judicial system has politicized that word and selectively applies it to ppl who threaten the system," another X commented.
They'll charge Luigi with terrorism but not Dylann Roof or the 2022 Buffalo shooter. Both of whom had a manifesto with a clear political agenda.
— *Censored* (@encrypted_bml) December 17, 2024
I think it's clear that the U.S. judicial system has politicized that word and selectively applies it to ppl who threaten the system https://t.co/wi67KAgnPQ
"In America...
Killing a CEO: terrorism
Killing children: the price of freedom," X user @dstark86 wrote.
In America…
— Danny Stark (@dstark86) December 17, 2024
Killing a CEO: terrorism
Killing children: the price of freedom https://t.co/6j14TnssPh
"Luigi Mangione could've gone overseas to slaughter Palestinians in Gaza and our government would've lauded him as a hero, but he ~allegedly~ killed a CEO, so he is branded a terrorist and thrown behind bars. The priorities of this system could not be clearer." one X user shared.
Luigi Mangione could’ve gone overseas to slaughter Palestinians in Gaza and our government would’ve lauded him as a hero, but he ~allegedly~ killed a CEO, so he is branded a terrorist and thrown behind bars. The priorities of this system could not be clearer.
— James Ray 🔻 (@GoodVibePolitik) December 18, 2024
"So 'murdering one rich person' is terrorism, but killing a bunch of children is just a shooting. Got it," an X user wrote.
So “murdering one rich person” is terrorism, but killing a bunch of children is just a shooting. Got it.
— Jesus Freakin Congress (@TheJFreakinC) December 17, 2024
"It's a clear message to all of us poors, not to mess with our superiors. When is the last time you've heard of a terrorism charge for a single murder?" @Imposter_Edits queried.
It's a clear message to all of us poors, not to mess with our superiors.
— 🥀_ Imposter_🥀 (@Imposter_Edits) December 17, 2024
When is the last time you've heard of a terrorism charge for a single murder?
"'Terrorism' was categorically invented to make any crime committed against a more powerful person, institution or country seem worse. Predominantly used to justify war against Muslim Countries for western expansion, being used here to justify the class war waged by the wealthy," X user @jenny2x4 shared.
“Terrorism” was categorically invented to make any crime committed against a more powerful person, institution or country seem worse. Predominantly used to justify war against Muslim Countries for western expansion, being used here to justify the class war waged by the wealthy. https://t.co/aU2uCSGk39
— Fairy Gothmother, MD (@jenny2x4) December 17, 2024
"I feel like every attempt to turn the public opinion, every headline condemning people for not caring, bullshit terrorism charges, etc is doing the opposite and wising everyone up to how unjust society is when it comes to protecting the ruling class and keeping the rest down," @MrPostsGood offered.
I feel like every attempt to turn the public opinion, every headline condemning people for not caring, bullshit terrorism charges, etc is doing the opposite and wising everyone up to how unjust society is when it comes to protecting the ruling class and keeping the rest down https://t.co/tIbMNvmOKp
— Rob Incognito (@MrPostsGood) December 17, 2024
"So — if you kill a Black man in America, you'll be acquitted and invited on talk shows.
But killing a white CEO — in an industry that profits off of dying Americans is terrorism. Just want to make sure I understand," X user @TulikaBose_ wrote in a post accompanied by a photo of Daniel Penny.
Penny, a white veteran, was acquitted of killing Jordan Neely, a Black man who was homeless and experiencing a mental health crisis when Penny held him in a fatal chokehold for six minutes in New York City on May 1, 2023.
So — if you kill a Black man in America, you’ll be acquitted and invited on talk shows.
— Tulika Bose (@TulikaBose_) December 17, 2024
But killing a white CEO — in an industry that profits off of dying Americans is terrorism. Just want to make sure I understand https://t.co/SBcKvrtPrr pic.twitter.com/fw9ZBPh282
"'Terrorism' if it's a CEO, but 'unfixable' if it's school children," an X user pointed shared.
"Terrorism" if it's a CEO, but "unfixable" if it's school children. https://t.co/3TqTZ4iiEr
— 💀DeathMetalViking💀 (@DeathMetalV) December 17, 2024
"Remember kids, it's only terrorism if you punch up instead of down," @TheMcKenziest posted.
Remember kids, it’s only terrorism if you punch up instead of down
— Lauren McKenzie (@TheMcKenziest) December 17, 2024
"Another example of how inherently political, and not objectively qualifying, the term and legal categorization of 'terrorism' is. This is just simply about assuaging fears and anger of the multi-millionaire, billionaire class and sending a message to anyone who may show dissent, in any way, to the corporate class," @SanaSaeed shared.
Another example of how inherently political, and not objectively qualifying, the term and legal categorization of “terrorism” is. This is just simply about assuaging fears and anger of the multi-millionaire, billionaire class and sending a message to anyone who may show dissent,… https://t.co/8xCb2SOJlr pic.twitter.com/6p4TPuELbM
— Sana Saeed (@SanaSaeed) December 17, 2024
"Eleven counts. The first two both invoking terrorism. The ruling class is treating killing one of their own, with the motive being related to the evils of our health care system, as a fundamentally different act than if you or I were to be murdered," an X user posted.
Eleven counts. The first two both invoking terrorism. The ruling class is treating killing one of their own, with the motive being related to the evils of our health care system, as a fundamentally different act than if you or I were to be murdered. https://t.co/frI21zNGLD
— Read Abolish Rent (@JPHilllllll) December 17, 2024
Some social media users took the terrorism charge as an opportunity to start planning how to support Mangione once his trial begins.
"We better see everyone in New York out supporting Luigi. We have to stand up to the ruling class. A terrorism charge is absolutely f--king ridiculous!" an X user wrote.
We better see everyone in New York out supporting Luigi. We have to stand up to the ruling class. A terrorism charge is absolutely fucking ridiculous!
— 🇵🇸 Yoshi loves Luigi #BLM (@CommieYoshi) December 17, 2024
"We have a few months to teach everyone in NYC about jury nullification," @SocialistMormon wrote.
We have a few months to teach everyone in NYC about jury nullification. pic.twitter.com/cRWodstd1r
— Socialist Mormon (@SocialistMormon) December 17, 2024
Other users vocalized it wasn't Mangione who terrorized people but insurance companies like UnitedHealthcare, which have allowed thousands to die by denying life-saving treatment.
"hope this continues to be eye-opening for the masses! the state thinks it's terrorism to kill one ceo but normal fine everyday business to kill thousands upon thousands with predatory healthcare insurance practices," @vivafalastin stated.
hope this continues to be eye-opening for the masses! the state thinks it’s terrorism to kill one ceo but normal fine everyday business to kill thousands upon thousands with predatory healthcare insurance practices https://t.co/5ptwucpFCv
— sippin on that 🇵🇸 (@vivafalastin) December 17, 2024
"Charging Luigi Mangione with terrorism when Brian Thompson did a 9/11 every year as UnitedHealth's CEO really shows us what the top 1% in this country think of the bottom 99%," another shared.
Charging Luigi Mangione with terrorism when Brian Thompson did a 9/11 every year as UnitedHealth’s CEO really shows us what the top 1% in this country think of the bottom 99%.
— Gritty From Philly (@GrittyGetLitty) December 17, 2024
"These terrorism charges by the New York D.A. against Luigi Mangione are absurd. Luigi did not terrorize us. The private health insurance industry that kills and bankrupts us for profit is what terrorizes us," an X user declared.
These terrorism charges by the New York D.A. against Luigi Mangione are absurd. Luigi did not terrorize us. The private health insurance industry that kills and bankrupts us for profit is what terrorizes us.
— Power to the People ☭🕊 (@ProudSocialist) December 17, 2024
"He terrorized the safety of the elite. The elite can not tolerate their own vulnerability. They are, in their minds, supposed to be infallible & beyond reproach. Luigi just broke their glass ceiling, & they can not accept it. So they send their government dogs out to attack us." X user @ChrisMarx1919 replied.
He terrorized the safety of the elite. The elite can not tolerate their own vulnerability. They are, in their minds, supposed to be infallible & beyond reproach. Luigi just broke their glass ceiling, & they can not accept it. So they send their government dogs out to attack us.
— George Orwell's Angry Ghost (@ChrisMarx1917) December 17, 2024
"Those aren't gonna stick. He said he didn't use a bomb because he didn't want to hurt others," @iElijahManley wrote.
Those aren’t gonna stick. He said he didn’t use a bomb because he didn’t want to hurt others.
— Elijah Manley (@iElijahManley) December 17, 2024
One user pointed out how the D.A. may have arrived at the terrorism charge.
"They can make the case the way the law is written, if we consider insurance executives a 'civilian population.'
As I've said from day one, dude needs to exercise his right to a jury trial," X user @jim_the_truth shared.
They can make the case the way the law is written, if we consider insurance executives a "civilian population."
— Jim the Truth (@jim_the_truth) December 17, 2024
As I've said from day one, dude needs to exercise his right to a jury trial. pic.twitter.com/Chz7CGIM8r
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