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One Year Later, The Internet’s Still Talking About Luigi Mangione

Dec 10, 2025

In this captivating discussion, investigative journalist Melkorka Licea offers a deep dive into the chaotic online fandom surrounding Luigi Mangione after his controversial arrest. She unpacks the emergence of various supporter factions, from health-care advocates to innocence believers and thirst-driven fan accounts. Law professor Daniel Medwed sheds light on the complexities of jury selection in high-profile trials, exploring how online narratives can skew perceptions and the risks of jury nullification. Together, they reveal how a single crime has sparked broader cultural conversations.

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ANECDOTE

Mugshot T-Shirt Became A Performance

A dancer at Jumbo's Clown Room wore a t-shirt with Luigi Mangione's mugshot and rode it while the crowd chanted "free Luigi."
Melkorka Licea described the moment as a viral instance that turned Luigi into a performative icon.

insights

INSIGHT

Casings Turned Crime Into Policy Protest

The bullet casings bore "Deny, defend, depose," echoing insurers' "delay, deny, defend" tactics and implying motive.
That link turned a policy critique into a cultural moment before the suspect's identity was known.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Digital Trail And Perp Walk Fueled Fandom

After Luigi's arrest, sleuths found a Goodreads account linking him to books about pain and the Unabomber, which fueled sympathy.
His heavily publicized perp walk then became meme fodder and a viral "catwalk" moment.

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Why Luigi Mangione Went Viral

04:16 • 5min

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Evidence, Goodreads, and Early Viral Moments

09:03 • 2min

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The Birth of a Fandom

11:14 • 44sec

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Fandom Factions Explained

11:58 • 2min

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Healthcare Advocates' Motivations

13:47 • 2min

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Fans Who Insist on Innocence

15:54 • 3min

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The Thirst Accounts and Competition

18:46 • 2min

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Clout, Acknowledgement, and Letters

20:30 • 2min

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How Other Killings Affected the Fandom

22:31 • 2min

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How This Fandom Differs From Past Cases

24:22 • 3min

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Jury Selection Challenges Explained

27:12 • 1min

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How Voir Dire Works in High-Profile Trials

28:40 • 2min

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Insurance Grievances and Juror Bias

31:00 • 2min

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Probing Online Media Habits During Selection

33:06 • 59sec

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Precedent: Boston Marathon Bombing Lessons

34:05 • 3min

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Jury Nullification Defined and Risks

36:50 • 3min

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Could Mangione Inspire Nullification?

40:17 • 2min

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What This Case Predicts for Criminal Law

42:00 • 2min

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Current Status and Courtroom Support

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On December 4, 2024, United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed outside a Midtown New York hotel. The subsequent arrest of 26-year-old Luigi Mangione set off a frenzy far beyond a typical breaking news story. Almost immediately, supporters emerged, detractors pushed back and then something stranger took hold: a devoted fandom that treated Mangione not just as a suspect, but as a symbol.

One year later, we look at how a single crime became a cultural flashpoint and how narratives built around Magione are shaping public perception. Investigative journalist Melkorka Licea unpacks the different factions of Mangione’s online supporters. Then, legal expert Daniel Medwed helps Morgan understand the challenges of selecting a fair jury in an era when high-profile cases unfold in real time across millions of screens.

Guest:

Melkorka Licea, investigative journalist

Daniel Medwed, professor of law at Northeastern University

Further Reading/Listening:

Inside the Contentious World of Luigi Mangione Supporters —

Melkorka Licea, WIRED

Luigi Mangione Hearing Hits on 3D Gun, Never-Before-Heard 911 Call, Comparisons to the Unabomber — Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone

Slain UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's tenure was marked by rocketing profits—and accusations of insider trading and coverage denial — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune

Luigi is Currently Reading: What Can We Really Learn About the UHC CEO’s Alleged Killer Based on the Books He’s Read? — James Folta, Literary Hub

Luigi Mangione’s ‘Loafers,’ ‘Outfit’ and ‘Ankles’ Go Viral as His Unexpected Fashion Influence Persists After Latest Court Appearance — Renan Botelho, WWD

Meet the ‘Cougars for Luigi Mangione’ — and new fans of the alleged killer — Josie Ensor, The Times

What is jury nullification and what does it mean for Luigi Mangione’s defense? — Eric Levenson, CNN

Grand jury declines to indict the 88-year-old white woman whose false accusations led to Emmett Till's death in 1955 — Haven Orecchio-Egresitz, Business Insider

Read the transcript here

Email: CloseAllTabs@KQED.org

Credits:

Close All Tabs is hosted by Morgan Sung. This episode was produced by Chris Egusa and edited by Jen Chien. Our team includes producer Maya Cueva, editor Chris Hambrick and senior editor Chris Egusa who also composed our theme song and credits music. Additional music from APM. Audio engineering by Brendan Willard. Audience engagement support from Maha Sanad. Jen Chien is our Director of Podcasts. Katie Sprenger is our Podcast Operations Manager. Ethan Toven-Lindsey is our Editor in Chief.

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