Americans romanticize killers like Luigi Mangione

In the United States, following the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on December 4, 2024, a troubling pattern emerged on social media. An analysis by Cyabra, a disinformation detection platform, revealed that a significant portion of profiles praising the accused killer, Luigi Mangione, were inauthentic. Specifically, 11% of the social media accounts related to posts supporting Mangione were deemed suspicious or bot-like, which raised alarms about potential foreign influence and manipulation of public sentiment. This analysis indicated that foreign adversaries may be using social media platforms to sow discord within American society. As the online reactions intensified after Mangione's arrest on December 9, 2024, the engagement with hashtags like #FreeLuigi skyrocketed, reaching millions of views. However, this outpouring of support was undercut by the revelation that 18% of the profiles amplifying these slogans were fake. Rep. Ritchie Torres responded to the findings fervently, condemning the manipulation of American institutions by foreign entities. The data showed that the fake accounts were often linked to overseas networks, further complicating the narrative around the murder and subsequent public reaction. Moreover, the implications of this disinformation extend beyond the immediate incident. Cyabra CEO Dan Brahmy emphasized the dangers of such scaling disinformation campaigns, highlighting their potential to influence the understanding of justice and morality among users, particularly children. This incident reignited debates about the role of social media in shaping public perception and the ease with which false narratives can take hold in an era of rapid information exchange. In the larger context, the romanticization of violent figures in American society finds parallels with historical outlaws. The actions of Mangione have tapped into a deep-seated cultural phenomenon where individuals who commit violence against perceived evils, like corrupt institutions, receive unwarranted support. This troubling trend reflects how the American narrative often finds a place for sympathy towards outlaws and criminals, complicating discussions around justice and the rightness of violent retribution.