December 13, 2024

THE SYSTEM

The Bigger Vigilante-Worship Problem Is Happening on the Right

The difference between Daniel Penny and Luigi Mangione is the support the former is getting from the Republican Establishment.

Daniel Penny. Photo: Alex Kent/Getty Images

On December 9, police in Pennsylvania arrested Luigi Mangione for allegedly shooting and killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in front of the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan five days earlier. The manhunt turned the 26-year-old into an unlikely folk hero and sex symbol. Revelers trashed the slain insurance executive as an evil profiteer, while surveillance images of Mangione’s face triggered thirsty reactions on social media. “Raw, next question,” read one characteristic response to a resurfaced shirtless photo.

Laura Ingraham was outraged. “Twisted hero worship,” fumed the Fox News host, decrying the supposed “liberal wackos” who were salivating over Mangione’s “Italian good looks.” “Clearly, if you want to be a sympathetic assassin for a certain class of people, it pays to do lots of crunches, planks, and other core exercises,” quipped National Review editor Rich Lowry.

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The Bigger Vigilante-Worship Problem Is Happening on the Right

Today's Top Stories

The city’s emergency-management agency acknowledged new reports of drone sightings at LaGuardia Airport but stated that the accounts are unconfirmed.

By Nia Prater

The pandemic is still reshaping American politics.

By Sarah Jones

The peaceful transition of power he did not respect four years ago is precious. The opposition can wait until he actually takes office.

By Ed Kilgore

Mark Zuckerberg, Sam Altman, and Jeff Bezos donated $1 million each to Trump’s inaugural bash, which was a corrupt mess the last time around.

By Matt Stieb

Break out the White House caviar because here come the billionaires.

By Chas Danner

Postelection polling shows a muted reaction to Trump’s wild Cabinet picks and policy proposals, even among people who voted against him.

By Ed Kilgore

An updated list of all the people Biden has granted clemency before the end of his presidency.

By Chas Danner

My Week in New York

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