Luigi Mangione, Witchcraft is Booming, and Another Deadly Virus

Tipping Point Quick Hits (12.12.24)

Luigi Mangione and America’s Downward Spiral

If you’re like me, you’ve been watching with fascination the saga of Ivy League graduate Luigi Mangione, who was arrested this week for the alleged murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The CEO was fatally shot outside a Manhattan hotel last week in broad daylight. The 26-year-old Mangione was apprehended in Pennsylvania after a five-day manhunt.

Mangione had no prior criminal history, but was caught in possession of a 9mm “ghost gun,” along with fake IDs and a handwritten manifesto expressing his disgust with corporate America and the healthcare industry.

But this hasn’t been a situation where America grew fearful that a murderer was on the loose, or breathed a sigh of relief when he was finally caught.

As the news agencies gave breathless reports about the murder, America seemed to cheer him on. Why? For one reason, because he is young and attractive. And secondly, because almost everyone has had problems related to the health insurance industry. People began expressing sympathy for Mangione while sharing their frustrations about healthcare. And then they began celebrating him.