The Shocking Amount Raised for Luigi Mangione's Legal Battle
Merged CCTV images taken from subway surveillance of the suspect in CEO Brian Thompson's murder. Public domain.
Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare® CEO Brian Thompson in December, has accepted nearly $300,000 in donations from supporters to fund his legal defense. The money, raised through the crowdfunding platform GiveSendGo, will go toward fighting what Mangione's legal team called "unprecedented" charges against him in a statement to ABC News, as reported by The Guardian.
A Wave of Support
Mangione's defense fund, managed by the December 4 Legal Committee — named for the date of Thompson's killing — has drawn contributions from over 10,000 individuals, with an average donation of about $30. The fundraiser's page states that "We are not here to celebrate violence, but we do believe in the constitutional right of fair legal representation."
Mangione's attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, confirmed that he would be using the donations to fund his legal battle, stating on GiveSendGo that Luigi "very much appreciates the outpouring of support."
The Charges Against Mangione
Prosecutors allege that Mangione ambushed Thompson outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel on Dec. 4 as the CEO was walking to an investor conference. Surveillance footage captured the attack, and the suspect, wearing a mask, escaped after the incident.
After a five-day manhunt, police arrested Mangione at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where he was allegedly carrying a ghost gun, fake identification, and a notebook containing anti-healthcare industry rhetoric.
Mangione now faces both federal and state charges. In federal court, he is charged with interstate stalking and using a firearm to commit murder — charges that could carry the death penalty if convicted. In New York state court, he is accused of murder and terrorism, with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg calling the case "frightening, well-planned, targeted murder that was intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation," The Guardian reported.
Mangione has pleaded not guilty to the state charges and is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
Public Reaction and Controversy
The case has ignited widespread discussion about the healthcare system and corporate greed, with some Americans sympathizing with Mangione's alleged motive. A December poll conducted by the National Opinion Research Center found that while 80% of respondents believed Mangione was responsible for the crime, many also blamed the for-profit healthcare system for contributing to the tragedy.
Messages from Mangione's supporters on GiveSendGo suggest that some believe he acted in self-defense or see his alleged actions as justified. Comments include statements like "Let's defend the (right) for self-defense" and "Free the guy, his work here isn't done (he's innocent)!"
Meanwhile, the December 4 Committee has vowed to continue raising funds for Mangione's legal fight, calling the terrorism charges against him "fundamentally unacceptable" and accusing the media of working to "demonize" him, according to recent updates on the GiveSendGo page.
What's Next for Mangione?
Mangione's legal battle is only beginning, with his defense team preparing to fight charges that could result in either the death penalty or life in prison. Prosecutors remain firm in their stance that this was a calculated and premeditated attack, while Mangione's supporters insist that he deserves a fair trial.
UnitedHealthcare has not publicly commented on the fundraiser or the defense fund's growing support. As of Feb. 20, 2025 the fundraiser has reached $623,210 USD of it's $1,000,000 goal, according to GiveSendGo.
As Mangione's trial approaches, his case remains one of the most polarizing legal battles in recent memory—one that has tapped into deep frustrations about healthcare, corporate power, and the American justice system.
References: Man charged with health insurance CEO murder to accept $300,000 in donations | Legal Fund: Luigi Mangione - CEO Shooting Suspect | Luigi Mangione Accepts Nearly $300K From Supporters For Legal Defense in UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder Case
