It seems there’s no criminal—be it a drug dealer, rapist, murderer, or even someone implicated in an assassination—that some on the left, particularly certain women, won’t support.
Luigi Mangione has been indicted for allegedly orchestrating and executing the murder of Brian Thompson, former CEO of UnitedHealthcare.
In early December 2024, authorities stated that Mangione shot Thompson for political motives, intending to critique the U.S. healthcare system. “I was expecting a parasite,” he wrote in a note discovered during a police investigation.
Before long, leftist supporters, especially women, rallied behind him. CNN’s Caitlan Collins promoted Mangione’s legal defense fund, while the narrative painted him as a sort of national icon. Taylor Lorenz expressed her support rather openly, reveling in the murder. A musical in San Francisco featured Mangione as a character. Audiences on John Stewart’s show responded with boos upon hearing about his arrest. In his first remarks after the incident, Mangione thanked his backers.
What’s both striking and frustrating is that many of his supporters—particularly women—don’t argue that he’s innocent or wrongfully accused. Instead, it seems that the appeal lies in the fact that he is somewhat attractive and, perhaps more importantly, taking action that aligns with their views: the assassination of a healthcare CEO.
Now, with the moniker “Mangionistas,” these fans have taken to the streets. It’s reported that they camped out in freezing temperatures just to catch a glimpse of Mangione at a court appearance. A mix of younger women and self-identified older “cougars” formed a line, eager to support the man accused of murdering the UnitedHealthcare CEO.
They sport handmade wristbands and beaded accessories urging people to “Please free him.”
One demonstrator even held a sign reading “Delay, Deny, Destroy,” which was written on a shell casing found at the scene. These fans have collectively raised almost $1.4 million for his legal defense, even launching an online store selling “Free Luigi” merchandise and candles depicting him saint-like.
Curiously, throughout the coverage, no one uses the term “innocent.”
“I believe Luigi is a hero and a soldier for the American people. He eliminated a mass murderer,” claimed one passionate supporter. Strikingly, people benefitting from Medicaid were also present to cheer for him. “I have Medicaid due to a birth defect, but many doctors won’t accept it. The doctor who operated on me went out of network before I even finished healing.”
Coincidentally, I recently navigated the frustrating maze of government-run healthcare, dealing with my wife’s coverage. It was a terrible, anxiety-inducing, and often maddening experience. It becomes especially disheartening knowing that some people, often those who don’t contribute, receive full Medicaid benefits. I’m not a fan of insurance companies or their executives, but the concept of causing harm to another, let alone celebrating such violence, feels fundamentally wrong.
There’s something seriously amiss in the hearts of many left-leaning women in this country. Instead of channeling their emotional energy into nurturing their families, it appears to be directed toward misplaced anger and dramatic, knee-jerk responses.
Take a look at this…
This captures the essence of the “Mangione’s Cougar” phenomenon.
