GoFundMe shuts down campaigns supporting Luigi Mangione

After Mangione’s arrest for the murder of Brian Thompson, GoFundMe shut down campaigns supporting his legal defense.

Shortly after Luigi Mangione was apprehended on Monday, admirers began setting up GoFundMe pages to support him in his legal battle. 

Mangione, who was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, faces murder charges related to the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on December 4. Hours after his capture, several fundraising pages appeared on GoFundMe, aimed at helping Mangione with legal fees. These pages quickly gained traction, despite the severity of the charges.

GoFundMe took immediate action, removing all the campaigns. A spokesperson told TMZ, "GoFundMe’s Terms of Service prohibit fundraisers for the legal defense of violent crimes. The fundraisers have been removed, and all donors have been refunded." However, the company continues to deal with new pages popping up, requiring constant oversight.

Mangione has drawn support from some members of the public who share his bitter disdain for the healthcare industry, particularly large insurance companies. The suspect has even gained a morbid following, with online fans posting memes, including references to "Super Mario Bros." and "The Sopranos," celebrating him. This strange admiration only grew after Mangione’s arrest, as fans created merchandise, including t-shirts, mugs, and even mock "Time Person of the Year" covers.

The arrest occurred when a McDonald's customer recognized Mangione from wanted posters and alerted local authorities. Police found Mangione with the pistol used in the shooting and a three-page manifesto, in which he expressed his frustrations with corporate America and the healthcare system.

As the case develops, Mangione’s bizarre online following continues to grow, raising questions about the intersection of social media, public sentiment, and criminal behavior.