A congressman has condemned internet trolls currently gloating over the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
‘Seems like leftists opposed to killing terrorists in the Middle East support killing CEOs in Midtown Manhattan,’ wrote Representative Dean Phillips after Wednesday’s murder outside a Hilton hotel in NYC.
Phillips, a Democrat who represents 50 year-old Thompson’s home district in Minnesota, spoke as online ghouls rejoiced in the cold-blooded execution of the healthcare chief.
Among them were one tweeter who wrote: ‘Brian Thompson ran a company based off exploiting people during the most vulnerable times in their life.
‘I’m not sad he’s dead.’
Another shared a gif of a pastor praising Jesus, writing: ‘CEOs of predatory corporations getting popped, turn this up. Peace out, Brian Thompson.’
Bluesky user Templin Jay wrote: ‘I’m not condoning murder but if they’re gonna kill people, I can’t object too strenuously to them choosing someone who made his fortune making healthcare worse and more expensive.
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed outside Manhattan’s Hilton Hotel on Wednesday
Congressman Dean Phillips condemned the assassination of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was one of his constituents
Social media users on X and Bluesky were quick to gloat over the murder of Thompson, with many claiming his company inflicted suffering on sick Americans
‘Cæsar had his Brutus, Charles the First his Cromwell, and Brian Thompson, some guy in a ski mask. If this be treason…’
Bluesky user Leslie Rising wrote, ‘blue cross next,’ referencing another of the country’s health care companies.
Others offered less tasteless criticism of Thompson’s murder while accusing United Healthcare of ‘killing tens of thousands of Americans every year by denying them health coverage.’
The rapid criticism of Thompson following his 6:45am shooting quickly sparked widespread condemnation.
One X user wrote: ‘All of the Leftists and communists celebrating UHC CEO Brian Thompson’s assassination are f**king demons and can go right to hell where they belong.
‘The system is messed up, I have a front row seat to it, but never does that justify someone’s murder.’
Thompson was executed by a gunman who remains on the loose as he prepared to attend Wednesday’s annual investor conference for United Healthcare.
The medical giant was set to announce bumper revenue and profits, with Thompson, a married father, wearing a shirt and tie as he was gunned down.
Thompson’s shooter – a white man dressed in a mask and dark clothes – knew which door the CEO was going to emerge.
Footage showed NYPD officers performing CPR on the CEO, before he was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition. He was later pronounced dead
There was also strenuous condemnation about the gloating over Thompson’s shocking death
He waited outside it for 10 minutes before opening fire, the New York Times reported.
The shooter – carrying a large black gun that appeared to be fitted with a silencer – then fled on a bike and is believed to have ridden into Central Park.
NYPD officials have offered a $10,000 reward for information that could lead to the shooter’s capture.
Thompson unloaded $12 million of shares earlier this year, as UnitedHealthcare faced a Department of Justice investigation and civil lawsuit over antitrust allegations.
His widow Paulette revealed he had been receiving threats in the run up to his death.
