RedHanded Luigi Mangione - Part One: “Deny, Defend, Depose” | #431
Jan 8, 2026
The podcast dives into the shocking shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, revealing a chilling message on bullet casings that turned the attack into a cultural phenomenon. As the hosts unravel the intense manhunt and the suspect's bizarre escape through NYC, they delve into Mangione's manifesto, framing the act as a protest against healthcare profiteering. Internet reactions and a viral cult of personality surrounding the suspect highlight the complexities of public opinion, while connections to broader healthcare frustrations spark deeper discussions.
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The Midtown Assassination Moment
- Brian Thompson was shot outside a Midtown hotel after a brief walk to a conference and bled out on the pavement.
- Witnesses, a jammed gun, and three cartridge cases with words turned the attack into a national spectacle.
Words Turn Act Into Ideology
- Three words written on shell casings — "Deny. Defend. Depose." — reframed the killing as an ideological attack on healthcare corporations.
- That slogan connected the act to broader anger about insurance denials and made the shooter a symbol overnight.
Surveillance Timeline And Escape
- Police pieced together CCTV showing the suspect arriving days earlier, scoping the Hilton, and waiting before the shooting.
- He escaped via Central Park, hailed a cab, and vanished on public transit until days later.