The shocking assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside Manhattan’s Hilton Hotel on Wednesday has sparked a disturbing mix of reactions online, ranging from tasteless celebrations to intense debates about the healthcare industry, writes the “Daily Mail”.
A Cold-Blooded Killing
Thompson, 50, was fatally shot in the chest and calf by a masked gunman as he prepared to attend an investor conference. The assailant fled the scene on an electric bike and remains at large. Authorities are still investigating the motive, but cryptic messages etched onto shell casings found at the scene—“depose,” “deny,” and “defend”—have fueled speculation about a link to criticisms of the health insurance industry.
Online Backlash and Dark Humor
As news of the killing spread, social media exploded with reactions, many of which were critical of Thompson and UnitedHealthcare. On Reddit’s r/medicine forum, a parody comment mocking insurance denial responses became the top-voted post before moderators shut down the thread.
One TikTok user, an ER nurse, commented, “I just can’t feel sympathy for him because of all those patients and families denied care.” Another person posted, “I saw this news while on the phone with UHC denying my medication. Wild.”
Posts on Twitter/X included photoshopped images of the suspect on TIME Magazine covers and calls to pardon the gunman. Some users even praised the shooter’s “eco-conscious” getaway on an e-bike, likening him to a video game assassin.
Disturbing Tributes
Outside the Hilton Hotel, a balloon was found bearing the message “CEO DOWN” alongside a party popper emoji. The same image appeared on journalist Taylor Lorenz’s BlueSky account, where she commented, “People have justified hatred toward insurance company CEOs for the suffering they enable.”
A post on Instagram read, “Prior authorization required for thoughts and prayers,” echoing public frustration with the healthcare giant’s policies.
UnitedHealthcare Under Fire
Thompson’s death has reignited criticism of UnitedHealthcare, the largest health insurer in the U.S., which has faced allegations of claim denials and antitrust violations. A Senate report earlier this year highlighted the company’s increased reliance on automated systems to deny claims for post-acute care, doubling its denial rate from 2020 to 2022.
Thompson himself had come under scrutiny for insider trading allegations after selling $15.1 million in shares two weeks before a DOJ investigation into the company became public.
The Ongoing Investigation
Police have released photos of a hooded “person of interest,” captured smiling at a hostel employee who asked him to lower his mask. The suspect is believed to have arrived in New York via a Greyhound bus and checked into the hostel with a fake ID, paying in cash.
Evidence recovered includes a burner phone, a smudged fingerprint on a water bottle, and cryptic bullet casings tied to the scene. Authorities continue to search for the suspect’s electric bike and weapon, while a $10,000 reward has been offered for information leading to his capture.
A Divisive Legacy
Thompson, a married father of two, was described by some as a driven executive who helped steer a $281 billion company. However, public anger over UnitedHealthcare’s practices has cast a shadow over his legacy.
His widow, Paulette, revealed that Thompson had received threats before his death but offered heartfelt words, calling him a “loving and generous man.”
As the investigation unfolds, the murder has sparked broader discussions about the healthcare system and the human cost of corporate decisions, ensuring that this case will remain in the public eye for months to come.
