26-year-old Luigi Mangione, the accused killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is very much aware of the immense public support and his reaction to the public’s “bizarre fixation” on him was initially that of shock. A source close to Mangione revealed to Daily Mail that Mangione is extremely aware of the massive fan base. He was “shocked and really choked up” when he saw the support he had received which gave him confidence and reassurance that he would be okay.
The source told Daily Mail that Mangione was used to adulation from men and women but “not to this level”.
Mangione pleaded not guilty to the state murder and terror charges Monday as his lawyer questioned the spectacle being created at the cost of her client. Karen Agnifilo asked why New York mayor Eric Adams was present to receive Mangione when he was transported from Pennsylvania to New York. She also questioned the necessity of the perp walk.
The Mail Today report said that Mangione has even shared the funds he received with his fellow inmates in the Pennsylvania jail who have been supporting him.
Prisoners’ viral chant on News Nation live
A bizarre thing happened when Luigi Mangione was in the Pennsylvania jail as the inmates replied to a NewsNation live indicating that they were listening to the coverage in the jail. The inmates responded to reporter Alex Caprariello and Ashleigh Banfield as they were reporting about the poor condition of the State Correction Institution Huntingdon in Pennsylvania. The prisoners answered ‘no’ listening to the broadcast and also yelled ‘Free Luigi’.
The social media thirst for Luigi has not receded as he is now in a Brooklyn jail. On his Monday hearing, several women were present inside the court while no one from his family was there. Luigi Mangione was first hailed for killing the CEO as many prominent personalities justified the murder of Brian Thompson saying that his company was the reason for many deaths. Then he became the fixture of public admiration because of his looks, his reading list, his Ivy League college background etc.
