Former Washington Post reporter Taylor Lorenz defended the gruesome execution of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Wednesday, making disgusting suggestions that other health care executives should face a similar fate. Posted on social media. Hundreds more perverse trolls posted on the internet to enjoy this tragedy.
Lorenz wrote on the microblogging social media network Blue Sky, along with an article about how Blue Cross Blue Shield will no longer cover anesthesia costs for the full duration of some surgeries, “And people are wondering why these… I'm wondering if he wants the top executives dead.”
The technology reporter made this damning declaration just hours after Thompson, 50, was shot and killed outside a midtown hotel, leaving his two sons fatherless.
Mr. Lorenz then added another user's post “If I started sending emails to other insurance CEOs that simply said, ‘You’re next,’ would that be considered a viable threat? By the way, it has nothing to do with current events. ”
The journalist, who recently launched his own publication, User Mag, continued to support the criticisms of Mr. Thompson and other company executives.
“It's no surprise that people have hatred for insurance company CEOs, because they are responsible for untold amounts of death and suffering. Against Death and Suffering. As someone who does, I think it's good to call out this broken system and those in power who make it possible.” she wrote.
Hours later, Lorenz tried to downplay her comments, claiming she was only trying to encourage a “peaceful letter-writing movement.”
“We want people to join us in writing a very peaceful letter to ask people to know the names of all insurance company CEOs and stop denying them coverage and brutally murdering thousands of innocent Americans. I hope so,” Lorenz wrote.
“Health care is a human right. We need universal health coverage now,” she added.
Mr. Lorenz led a group of sick and unsympathetic Internet trolls, many of them from Mr. Thompson's company, who suddenly appeared on Wednesday to celebrate Mr. Thompson's death and criticize the U.S. health care system. was aimed directly at.
“Today, we mourn the shooting death of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson… Wait, sorry, but insurance executives like Brian Thompson become millionaires. Today we commemorate the lives of the 68,000 Americans who die needlessly every year.” I wrote Professor Anthony Zenkas of Columbia School of Social Work.
Others had a harsher view of the U.S. health care system. write Underneath the news article about the murder: “Did he have a chronic illness?”
“As a UnitedHealthcare recipient, I completely understand the steps taken,” said another. I wrote.
another X user made an evil remark: “I run United Healthcare, and every year around this time, when the already outrageous insurance premiums and deductibles go up, I want to shoot the CEO, so I'm not too surprised.'' yeah.”
“I received a push notification to be careful because the United Healthcare shooter is still on the loose” Comedian Samantha Rudy I wrote.. “Personally, I don't feel like I'm on a shooter's radar because I'm not the CEO of a multibillion-dollar insurance company.”
Political activist Shu Tobita Screenshot shared by X From TikTok showing users' heartless reactions to the killings.
One commenter wrote, “Prior permissions, denied claims, levies, and prayers sent to families.” Another added: Maybe if they asked for pre-approval for my care. That way, after they take care of the required deductible, I might be able to make up some of the care. ”
A Facebook post from UnitedHealthcare expressing sadness over Thompson's death was also not well received online. of postThe post, which was shared on Wednesday afternoon, received 35,000 responses saying it was “funny” and just 2,200 responses saying it was “sad.”
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Thompson was shot repeatedly early Wednesday morning by a masked gunman who was waiting outside the Hilton Hotel on Sixth Avenue, where the CEO was hosting an investor meeting. That's what it means.
“There have been threats,” his wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News in her first comments since her husband was killed early Wednesday morning.
“Basically I don't know, is there a lack of coverage?” she said, referring to her 50-year-old husband's role as CEO of UnitedHealthcare's insurance division.
“I don't know the details. All I know is that he said there were people who were threatening him,” she told NBC News by phone.
“I can't give a thoughtful response at this time. I just learned this and am trying to comfort the children,” she added.
A search for the suspect was underway as the NYPD and Crime Stoppers offered a $10,000 reward for information.
