How Luigi Mangione Became a 'Gay Icon' Online

Photos and videos of Luigi Mangione have drawn widespread attention on social media, and notably within the LGTBQ+ community, with many users and commenters openly thirsting after the alleged killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Mangione allegedly shot and killed Thompson on December 4 as he left his hotel in Midtown Manhattan. The suspect was arrested at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after a tip from an employee on Monday, and was quickly charged with second-degree murder and three additional gun charges and forgery in New York.

While many were aghast and horrified at the brazen shooting on the streets of New York City, many others have come to view Mangione as a sort of folk hero—expressing their outrage and frustration with the nation's private health insurance industry. Many also said they did not condone or approve of Mangione's actions but also struggled to feel empathy for the top executive of a health insurance company.

Due to Mangione's exceptionally good looks and toned physique, he has also become a "sex symbol" for many people. Even before Mangione's identity was revealed, the widely circulated surveillance images that allegedly captured just his eyes and eyebrows above a surgical mask, as well as an image of the lower half of his face as he smiled at a Manhattan hostel clerk, drew significant speculation about his appearance.

When the alleged shooter's identity was announced and his Instagram and other social media accounts were found, the thirsting for Mangione exploded—with the gay community leading the charge.

"I would like to say the gay community is processing it through the analysis of capitalism and activism, but girl..." John Arthur Hill, an actor and producer who hosts The John Hill Show on SiriusXM, told Newsweek. "It's because he's hot."

Luigi Mangione Exploded on Social Media

All the shirtless Mangione's photos people could find—showcasing his jacked body and well-defined six-pack abs—went viral across the internet. Unverified rumors and speculation circulated about his sexuality, and many not safe for work (NSFW) remarks and posts were widely shared.

"Luigi Mangione, alleged assassin of Brian Thompson. Give him 1 gay man on the jury. Just 1," Matthew Rettenmund, author and founder of Popstar! magazine and blog Boyculture.com, wrote on X, formerly Twitter, sharing one of the now iconic shirtless photos of the alleged killer, on December 9. Rettenmund was apparently suggesting that a gay man would be unlikely to convict Mangione, which would result in a hung jury.

Some were more explicit in their comments. Spencer Althouse, the deputy editorial director at BuzzFeed, wrote: "if you're still in line for the Luigi Mangione conjugal visit STAY IN LINE."

Social media accounts sprang up dedicated to commentary and updates on Mangione. One such account on X, @LuigiCrave or Luigi Mangione Updates, dubbed the suspect a "gay icon," a "sex symbol" and "irresistible."

"Luigi Mangione looks radiant in newly released mugshot!" the X account posted on Tuesday, sharing the image of the alleged killer in an orange prison uniform.

Frank Costa, a digital creator, on Thursday joked that Mangione would be a guest judge on RuPaul's Drag Race, a reality show beloved by many within the gay community. The post included a mock dialogue between RuPaul and the alleged killer, as well as an image of Mangione photoshopped into the set of the show.

"His appearance definitely has a lot to do with it," H. Alan Scott, senior editor and host of Newsweek's pop culture podcast The Parting Shot with H. Alan Scott said. "But there's also an element of rooting for the underdog to it all, which the LGBTQ+ community has always been drawn to."

The manifesto alleged to have been written by Mangione criticized the U.S. health care system, suggesting this was the motive for the shooting. "Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming. A reminder: the US has the #1 most expensive healthcare system in the world, yet we rank roughly #42 in life expectancy," he allegedly wrote.

Scott said this sentiment resonates with the LGBTQ+ community.

"While I think the vast majority of queer people would agree his actions were wrong, that said, the LGBTQ+ community long has had a complicated relationship with health care providers and the government when it comes to health-related issues," he said. "All you need to do is to look to the AIDS epidemic for examples of why LGBTQ+ people may empathize with some of Mangione's sentiments, but not actions."

Some progressive lawmakers have pointed to the response to Thompson's killing as a sign that reforms are needed.

"You condemn the murder of an insurance executive who was a father of two kids," Representative Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, told Business Insider. "At the same time, you say there's obviously an outpouring behavior of people whose claims are being denied, and we need to reform the system."

Is the Response to Luigi Mangione Unprecedented?

It's a familiar trend for some in American society to fetishize and even fall in love with criminals. Jeremy Meeks, a former member of the Crips gang, was among the more recent felons to garner viral fame over his appearance, earning nicknames like "hot convict" and "mug shot hottie" after he was arrested in 2014 and police released his mugshot to the public.

Then there's Ted Bundy, arguably the most prolific serial killer in modern American history. Bundy confessed to raping and murdering 30 women before his execution in 1989, although law enforcement officials believe the number is much higher.

But the allegations against Bundy didn't stop him from amassing a vast fanbase that included women—known as "groupies"—who showed up to the courtroom during his trial dressed like his victims, so they could look more appealing to him. And that was before the internet era.

Bundy eventually even married one of his admirers, Carole Ann Boone, in 1980 after he was convicted of murder. Boone gave birth to their daughter while Bundy was on death row, and the couple divorced in 1986.

But in terms of the gay community's response, it's not easy to find a clear parallel.

"Maybe a close second would be Gypsy-Rose Blanchard who became a gay icon? But as far as lust goes, no I can't think of any alleged criminal who has made gay Americans' panties drop with this much fervor," Hill told Newsweek.

Blanchard was released from prison in December 2023 after serving seven years for the second-degree murder of her mother.

Pushback on the Luigi Mangione Hype

While Mangione's looks and widespread criticism of the healthcare industry have drawn substantial attention since the killing, there has also been significant condemnation and backlash to the obsession with the suspect.

Fox News host Laura Ingraham described the trend as "twisted hero worship." She said "liberal wackos are treating suspected killer Luigi Mangione as a folk hero, first by salivating over his Italian good looks."

Andrew Witty, the CEO of UnitedHealth Group, which is the parent company of United Healthcare, wrote an op-ed for The New York Times on Friday defending Thompson.

"The ideas he advocated were aimed at making health care more affordable, more transparent, more intuitive, more compassionate—and more human," he wrote. "That's Brian's legacy, one that we will carry forward by continuing our work to make the health system work better for everyone."

But for many in the gay community, and all across the country, the frustrations with the health care system have reached a boiling point. Although few would condone Mangione's alleged actions, the criticism of the health care industry expressed in the manifesto appear to resonate throughout society.

"Regardless of what you think of the alleged crime, I think there is an element of rage and anger that is endemic in being a gay American," Hill said. "And someone fighting against an oppressive system, even if it's abhorrent, strikes an honest chord with us."