The murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has sparked a significant social media reaction, with the suspect, Luigi Mangione, becoming a kind of folk hero. Many people have praised him as a "hot assassin" and expressed admiration for his looks, with hashtags such as #EatTheRich and #FreeLuigi going viral.

However, the online reaction has also focused on Mangione's apparent ire against the private healthcare industry and corporate elites, with many people expressing frustration and anger towards the industry.This sentiment is not new, as many people have been protesting against health insurance companies for years, citing issues such as denied coverage and high medical bills. For example, Jenn Coffey, a woman from New Hampshire who has been fighting to get her insurance company to cover her medical bills, understands the darker sentiments behind the online reaction, but condemns the violence.