Luigi Mangione Says He's Thankful for Conservatives
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Luigi Mangione, accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on December 4, 2024, in Manhattan, said in an electronic communication sent from jail that he was thankful for conservatives.
In the June 3 message sent from MDC Brooklyn and obtained by TMZ, Mangione lists 27 things he is grateful for, in recognition of his 27th birthday last month.
The 23rd item on the list is "the conservatives, who fiercely conserve the aspects of our society that make us great."
He also thanks "the liberals, who liberate us from the outdated aspects of our society that prevent us from being greater."
Luigi Mangione, accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City and leading authorities on a five-day search, appears in court for a hearing on February 21, 2025, in New York.
Luigi Mangione, accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City and leading authorities on a five-day search, appears in court for a hearing on February 21, 2025, in New York.
Steven Hirsch/New York Post via AP, Pool, File
Why It Matters
Mangione faces federal charges and state charges in New York and Pennsylvania in the killing of Thompson. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
What To Know
Mangione opened the list by thanking his family, friends and "the many talented and generous individuals who—if not for my current predicament—I never would've crossed paths with."
He also thanked people for sending letters, where they share fears, triumphs, advice and other aspects of their lives.
"The monotony of my physical environment is offset by the variety and richness of the lives I experience through letters: multi-page life stories, retellings of workplace conversations, stream of consciousness journal entries," Mangione wrote.
Mangione said he is grateful for the MDC Mail Room, which has processed thousands of letters from more than 40 countries.
He also gave a nod to memes, the books that have been sent to him, and independent media and creators.
The letter reveals information about Mangione's cellmate, who is identified only as "J."
"Despite spending half of every day inside a shared birdcage and being sentenced to a decade away from his six kids who he loves—[he] tolerates the clutter of all my papers, shares his unique wisdom, and doesn't hesitate to humble me when I need it," Mangione said.
The MDC staff and correctional officers are "nothing like 'The Shawshank Redemption' or 'The Stanford Prison Experiment,'" Mangione said. He said there is the "minor occasional dissent," but they are "largely there to help."
Mangione said he is grateful for "Chicken Thursdays" and keyboard shortcuts.
He thanked the people who have contributed more than $1 million to his legal defense fund. He said he is grateful for Friedman Agnifilo and the rest of his legal team.
Mangione also lists "Latinas for Mangione," people who donated to his commissary account, the Federal Bureau of Prisons music catalogue, the trials he has endured, his "lucky long sleeve," hearts, creatives, being born in America and free speech as things he is grateful for.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in Mangione's federal case.
What People Are Saying
Luigi Mangione, in his message: "I spend each day between the same four walls of my unit, where I receive both holiday cards sent in December and birthday cards sent between March and May, creating a bizarre and disorienting Groundhog Day scenario where every day is both Christmas and my May 6th birthday. Nonetheless, I'm incredibly grateful."
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, in an April 1 statement: "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."
Defense Attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo, in an April 1 statement: "While claiming to protect against murder, the federal government moves to commit the pre-meditated, state-sponsored murder of Luigi."
What Happens Next
Mangione's next appearance in state court is scheduled for September 16. He is scheduled to appear in federal court on December 5.
Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com.
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