How Luigi Mangione Donations Changed After Hearing

Newsweek

25-04-2025

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Financial donations to Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, continued to pour in after he appeared in a New York courtroom on Friday on federal felony charges.
Why It Matters
Mangione, 26, is facing federal and state charges in New York and Pennsylvania, including murder with a firearm, forgery and identity falsification for allegedly shooting and killing the UnitedHealthcare CEO outside a Manhattan hotel in December 2024. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
In mid-April, Mangione was indicted on a federal murder charge along with two counts of stalking and a firearms charge. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty against Mangione.
What To Know
On Friday afternoon, Mangione pleaded not guilty to federal charges. He faces two separate murder cases: one at the state level and one at the federal level. Two trials are expected.
His attorneys changed course after a previous agreement in which they agreed with prosecutors to proceed first with the state case. They are now requesting the court to prioritize the federal case, which carries the possibility of a death sentence.
Luigi Mangione attends a hearing at Manhattan Criminal Court on February 21, 2025 in New York City.
Luigi Mangione attends a hearing at Manhattan Criminal Court on February 21, 2025 in New York City.
Steven Hirsch - Pool/Getty Images
Mangione's alleged shooting sparked national debate about the national health care system and class warfare, drawing supporters and detractors.
Some of that support has led to large financial donations toward the defense fund for Maryland-born Mangione, including a combined $43,000 from two anonymous donors following the federal indictment earlier this month.
As of about 10 a.m. ET Friday morning, GiveSendGo, a crowdfunding platform, showed Mangione's donations exceeding $945,000 out of a $1.5 million goal. The legal fund, organized by The December 4th Legal Committee, has received funds from more than 26,000 donors.
Donations continued to pour in this week in anticipation of Mangione's appearance in the New York City courtroom, as part of the USA v. Mangione case.
As of about 2 p.m. ET Friday, donations neared 27,000 in total and continued to come in smaller amounts, totaling nearly $951,000.
One the most recent donations came from an individual described as "Tennessee mom," who gave $50 and wrote the following on the donation page: "Seems like they are trying to get you to plead out by bombarding you with charges. Don't give them the satisfaction. Make them prove their case. There are a lot of people out there, including older people, who aren't on social media and who aren't able to come to NY to show support, but they still are 100% behind you. We aren't going anywhere."
Another individual, Doug Larson, donated $100 and sent well wishes to Mangione: "Grace and peace to you, Luigi."
Alex Shipley, communications director for GiveSendGo, previously told Newsweek that the company's decision to provide this funding platform for Mangione and others is based on providing support for individuals going through challenging moments, regardless of circumstances.
"GiveSendGo operates with a principle of not preemptively determining guilt or innocence," Shipley said. "Our platform does not adjudicate legal matters or the validity of causes. Instead, we allow campaigns to remain live unless they violate the specific terms outlined in our terms of use. Importantly, we do allow campaigns for legal defense funds, as we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to access due process."
In an April 11 motion made by Mangione's legal counsel, led by Karen Friedman Agnifilo, they called on various forms of relief including precluding the government from seeking the death penalty. They also requested an order proposing that federal grand jurors be screened for exposure to Bondi's "prejudicial public statements."
They also asked for the government any memoranda, documents and notes from the Southern District of New York's consideration of the death penalty, which includes any correspondence provided to Bondi as part of her "careful consideration" of the evidence. They also want their client to have any emails, records, documents, memoranda and notes regarding anyone advocating for the death penalty in his case.
What People Are Saying
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi earlier this month: "Luigi Mangione's murder of Brian Thompson—an innocent man and father of two young children—was a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America. After careful consideration, I have directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in this case as we carry out President Trump's agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again."
Death Penalty Action Executive Director Abraham Bonowitz on Friday: "Seeking the death penalty for Luigi Mangione is nothing but a hypocritical political stunt by the attorney general. Contrary to this administration's stated intent to expand the use of the death penalty for purposes of obtaining 'justice for victims' and ensuring 'public safety,' we know that the death penalty provides neither. Instead, this is yet another disturbing reminder that our society values certain lives more than others."
Anonymous $10 donor on Thursday on GiveSendGo: "The weaponisation of the DOJ & destruction of American civil liberties, humanities & culture is very sad to see. Luigi's case is a stark reminder of hard power and why we must fight for our rights."
A $49 GiveSendGo donor on Thursday going by Akshay: "Best of luck tomorrow."
What Happens Next
A federal judge has ordered prosecutors to produce all discovery materials in the case against Luigi Mangione by May 27, including search warrants, social media records, and information from both Pennsylvania prosecutors and the Manhattan District Attorney.
His next date in court is December 5, 2025.