‘Deny,’ ‘defend,’ ‘depose’ - The Killing of Brian.

"None of this moral indolence justifies Thompson’s slaying and the pain it caused his wife and two sons."

UnitedHealthcare reportedly turns down one-third of medical reimbursement claims, twice the industry average. This affects the individual patients and contributes to the problems in the notoriously expensive U.S. healthcare system.

A staggering 60% of Americans report issues, including coverage denial, reimbursement refusal, and partial repayments, highlighting the widespread impact of UnitedHealthcare's practices.

UnitedHealthcare is the largest healthcare insurance provider, with over 50 million care plan customers. In 2024, CEO Brian Thompson earned US$10.2 million, and his shares amounted to US$20 million. The company made a profit of US$16 billion in 2023.

Healthcare insurance is about profiting for companies and shareholders. The business model is simple: People get ill and need expensive treatment. Hence, insurers get them or their employers to pay for coverage and then seek to minimise payouts to maximise profit. And reports point to UnitedHealthcare taking this model to the extreme with an AI system with a 90% error rate.

UnitedHealthcare dominates nearly all aspects of health care, a position that the Justice Department accused of anti-competitive practices.

Thus, when CEO Thompson is gunned down on a New York street, social media reacted with little or no sympathy, indeed the opposite. UnitedHealthcare's bereavement message online was mocked with 77,000 laughing emojis. Meanwhile, company stocks lost 14% of their value since Thompson was shot.

The killing of Thompson brought forth accusations about the sharp practices of his company and others, including denying legitimate claims, using flawed AI systems, and engaging in anti-competitive practices. It is fair to say that a good portion of Internet commentary lauded his alleged killer as a latter-day 'Robin Hood'.

But it's gone even further than that. The alleged killer is attracting lustful comments about his physique, protests outside the jail he is held in and demands he be freed.

A 26-year-old Ivy League graduate, Luigi Mangione, has been named the suspect; he's a dead ringer for Timothée Chalamet — so he's probably lined up for the movie. Had the killer been a fat, bald man with a social media profile of extremist views, I doubt the same level of adoration would be forthcoming.

As this story unfolds, the role of the media in shaping public perception becomes increasingly evident. The framing of the narrative—whether it emphasises the tragedy of Thompson's death or the alleged killer's motivations—has the power to significantly influence how the story is received, highlighting the power of storytelling in shaping public opinion.

But these days, with everyone a de facto commentator, the masses shape the narrative on the Internet, leaving traditional media in its wake. Moreover, the story gains substantial traction when it aligns with broader social issues around corporate greed.

After the financial crash of 2008, how many bankers were held accountable? None. That fact still sticks in the throats of many. People are fed up, disenfranchised, and sick of blatant profiteering. So, if a CEO goes down, they applaud his killer. After all, they argue, how many people died because of greedy business leaders?

Yet, none of this moral indolence justifies Thompson’s slaying and the pain it caused his wife and two sons.

In the last few days, the MSM has been used to reshape the narrative, emphasising Thompson’s humble origins and journeyman status. In this version, he’s portrayed as a family man who is part of the solution to the failing U.S. healthcare system.

The killing of Thompson illustrates the complex relationship between crime, culture, and heroism. While the accused's actions may be legally indefensible, the narrative constructed around them can become a symbol of resistance for some.

Such stories remind us that the lines between villain and hero can often blur, revealing deeper truths about our collective values and struggles.

I fear that this alleged crime won't change the healthcare machine—it's too big, too entrenched. But it shines a dark spotlight that shocks the corporate ivory towers.

​And while Thompson's death doesn't fix anything, it reflects a frustration many deeply feel: anger at a system that tears people down.

Ultimately, whether one views the alleged killer as a folk hero depends mainly on personal perspectives and societal context, making this case a poignant reflection of contemporary issues that resonate far beyond the courtroom and pure legal reasoning.