Luigi Mangione, arrested for the killing of UnitedHealthcare's chief executive, was initially hailed as an anti-capitalist hero in some online circles. In a purported "manifesto" published by journalist Ken Klippenstein, the 26-year-old former data engineer criticized UnitedHealthcare for exploiting the country for profit, stating that "these parasites simply had it coming." He highlighted the U.S.'s expensive healthcare system and its low life expectancy ranking.
However, Mangione's ideology was complex and defied simple left-right categorizations. His online presence, spanning platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit to Goodreads, revealed a mix of Silicon Valley philosophy and heterodox ideas. Mangione, a former valedictorian and Ivy League graduate, followed a diverse range of figures, including Joe Rogan, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Ezra Klein, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. On Goodreads, he favored a biography of Elon Musk and gave J.D. Vance’s "Hillbilly Elegy" three stars.
Mangione was interested in rationalism, self-improvement, and effective altruism. He expressed concerns about the impact of technology on mental health and society. He was skeptical of some aspects of left-leaning identity politics, sharing posts that challenged wokeism and modern atheism. Some on the left now label him right-wing, but there is disagreement on his exact political leanings.
Gurwinder Bhogal, who interacted with Mangione online, described him as having mixed political views. Mangione was pro-equality of opportunity but opposed wokeism. Bhogal noted Mangione's interest in topics like brain rot, indoctrination, and corporate greed. On X, Mangione praised Tucker Carlson and shared content from Peter Thiel. He also gave a four-star review to Theodore Kaczynski’s "Industrial Society and Its Future," noting the prescience of Kaczynski’s predictions despite his criminal actions.
Those who knew Mangione at the Surfbreak co-working community in Honolulu described him as normal and curious. Brian Levin, an expert on extremism, noted that anti-corporate sentiments are not exclusively left-wing. Mary Beth Altier, a professor studying political violence, observed that single-issue motivations for political violence are becoming more common.
Some have suggested Mangione's views align with the "gray tribe," a term for rationalists and tech enthusiasts who fall outside conventional political tribes. Others see him as part of the "new tech centrist" or "TPOT adjacent" subcultures.
Mangione's last post on X was in June, and by November, his mother had filed a missing-person report. A fitness enthusiast, Mangione had health setbacks, including spinal surgery. He complained of feeling isolated and sought a community of like-minded individuals. Bhogal last heard from Mangione on June 10, when Mangione asked about curating social media feeds. Bhogal wonders if responding could have changed the outcome.