Luigi Mangione viral skateboarding video captivates internet as speculation grows about his past

A viral skateboarding video linked to Luigi Mangione has sparked intrigue, with netizens debating his skills.

A viral video allegedly showing Luigi Mangione, the prime suspect in the UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's assassination, skateboarding has captivated social media users. The footage, shared on X on December 16, 2024, depicts a man in a black jacket and blue jeans skateboarding in a parking lot and jumping over a medium-height fence. The caption claimed it was Mangione, showcasing "incredible skateboarding skills." The post amassed over 1.3 million views, 27,000 likes, and 1,900 reposts.

🚨BREAKING🚨

Cultural Touchstone Luigi Mangione stuns in newly discovered footage displaying his incredible skateboarding skills! #LuigiCrave #LuigiMangione pic.twitter.com/eXsQrRVYaz

— Luigi Mangione Updates (@LuigiCrave) December 16, 2024

However, Community Notes on X debunked the claim, clarifying that the individual in the video is professional skateboarder Guy Azulay. The clip, originally uploaded on Azulay's Instagram three days earlier, credited Trevor Dare for filming. Despite this clarification, many Instagram users mistook Azulay for Mangione, leaving comments that further spread the misinformation. The video, nonetheless, gained traction and over 76,000 likes on Instagram.

Following the debunking, the video continued to fuel divided opinions online. Mangione, who was arrested on December 9, 2024, for allegedly assassinating Thompson, has become a polarizing figure. While some users humorously speculated about his "cool" persona and claimed his skateboarding skills added to his mystique, others criticized the glorification of a suspect in a serious crime. Comments like "How does he keep getting cooler?" contrasted sharply with remarks such as "Stop glorifying a murderer."

The video's initial association with Mangione also sparked questions about his physical abilities, with some wondering if it was filmed before his reported back surgery. However, Community Notes confirmed that Mangione was not involved, linking the clip to Azulay’s profile.

This incident highlights the internet's role in spreading misinformation and shaping public narratives around controversial figures. While fact-checking efforts like Community Notes provide clarity, the allure of viral content often blurs the lines between fact and fiction, as seen in the continuing fascination with Mangione.