- Luigi Mangione, accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has spoken out for the first time from behind bars, acknowledging his online support. His statement comes amid calls to boycott an upcoming true-crime documentary about his life.
- Investigation Discovery’s (ID) trailer for “Who Is Luigi Mangione?” has sparked online backlash. Reddit communities and TikTok users criticized the network for releasing the documentary before a verdict is reached.
- Mangione’s legal fund has amassed over $400,000 in donations, and he remains behind bars awaiting trial. Prosecutors say the evidence against him is strong, but his supporters insist it’s an unfair portrayal.
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For months, Luigi Mangione’s name has dominated headlines. Authorities accuse the 26-year-old of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson — and now, he’s breaking his silence.
From behind bars, Mangione has spoken out for the first time, as confirmed by Rolling Stone, acknowledging the wave of online support he’s received. He issued his statement as calls to boycott an upcoming true-crime documentary about his life grow.
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“I am overwhelmed by – and grateful for – everyone who has written me to share their stories and express their support,” Mangione says in part. “Powerfully, this support has transcended political, racial, and even class divisions, as mail has flooded MDC from across the country, and around the globe. While it is impossible for me to reply to most letters, please know that I read every one that I receive.”
ID documentary sparks online backlash
Investigation Discovery (ID) released the trailer for “Who Is Luigi Mangione?” earlier this week. The special promises to explore the accused killer’s background through interviews with people who knew him.
In the trailer, one voice describes Mangione as “the epitome of the American dream” — a brilliant student who once made his family proud. The documentary dives into his upbringing, academic achievements, and the events that led to his arrest in December 2024.
Reddit communities rally around Mangione
As first reported by Newsweek, a Reddit thread called “Free Luigi” has amassed more than 25,000 members. The group regularly posts trial updates and tracks donations to Mangione’s legal fund — which now exceeds $400,000.
One Reddit user shared the ID documentary trailer with a warning:
“Don’t give in to this corporate-backed narrative. Spread the word.”
Another user encouraged others to avoid the documentary entirely.
“DON’T watch any documentaries about LM,” they wrote. “Donate to his legal fund instead if you want to show your support.”
Some users also question the motives of those who participated in the ID production.
“I don’t understand why a ‘family friend’ would feel the need to go on a documentary to speak about LM,” Reddit user u/lly67 posted. “None of the documentaries paint him in a good light, and having a close friend on there makes the outlandish things said about LM more believable.”
TikTok joins the conversation
Beyond Reddit, the conversation has spread to TikTok.
Under the trailer posted to ID’s official TikTok account, many comments criticize the network for releasing the documentary before a verdict is reached.
“Is it OK to put out something like this when he hasn’t even been convicted yet?” one user wrote. “Innocent until proven guilty.”
More documentaries center on Luigi Mangione
The ID special isn’t the first production to cover the Mangione case.
In December 2024, ABC News released “Manhunt: Luigi Mangione and the CEO Murder — A Special Edition of 20/20.” The documentary detailed the events leading up to the fatal shooting of Brian Thompson and Mangione’s subsequent arrest.
Last month, TMZ followed with “Luigi Mangione: The Mind of a Killer” — a special examining his life and the online fascination with the case.
What’s next for Luigi Mangione?
Mangione remains behind bars as he awaits trial. Prosecutors say the evidence against him is strong, while his supporters insist it is an unfair portrayal.
The Investigation Discovery documentary “Who Is Luigi Mangione?” premieres February 17 at 8 p.m. ET. It will also be available to stream on Max.
[KENNEDY FELTON]
For months, the name Luigi Mangione has dominated headlines – from his arrest in connection to the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson to the growing online movement rallying behind him. Now for the first time, Mangione is speaking out from behind bars, acknowledging the support he’s received, even as some call for a boycott of a new documentary about his life.
Viewers got a sneak peek into the Investigation Discovery documentary titled “Who Is Luigi Mangione?” with the release of this week’s trailer. It highlights Mangione’s background, including personal stories from those who know him.
But not everyone is thrilled. Even before his arrest, Mangione had already built a support system online, with some self-proclaimed fans defending him across social media. Once his identity was revealed, that support only grew.
As first reported by Newsweek, a Reddit thread called “Free Luigi” is filled with users calling for a boycott. With more than 25,000 members, posts frequently highlight updates about Mangione’s trial and even track donations to his legal fund, which has now reached nearly $400,000.
In one post, a user shares the ID documentary trailer writing, “Don’t give in into this corporate-backed narrative. Spread the word.” Another user responds, “DON’T watch any documentaries about LM,” and urges people to donate to his legal fund instead as a way to show their support. One person writes, “I don’t understand why a ‘family friend’ would feel the need to go on a documentary to speak about LM. None of the documentaries paint him in a good light, and having a close friend on there makes the outlandish things said about LM more believable.”
The discussion isn’t limited to Reddit. Under ID’s trailer on TikTok, others question the fairness of the documentary, saying, “Is it OK to put out something like this when he hasn’t even been convicted yet? Innocent until proven guilty.”
This ID special isn’t the only documentary focused on Mangione. In December, ABC News released a 20/20 special detailing the events leading up to his arrest. Last month, TMZ Investigates premiered “Luigi Mangione: The Mind of a Killer,” taking a closer look at his background and featuring insights from sources familiar with him.
On Friday, Mangione made his first public statement, as confirmed by Rolling Stone. In a new website, he says in part, “I am overwhelmed by – and grateful for – everyone who has written me to share their stories and express their support. Powerfully, this support has transcended political, racial, and even class divisions, as mail has flooded [the detention center] from across the country, and around the globe. While it is impossible for me to reply to most letters, please know that I read every one that I receive.”
The Investigation Discovery documentary is set to air February 17th and will be available for streaming on Max.
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