Sick tribute at site of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s death
A sick tribute appeared outside the New York City hotel where UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot by an assassin on Wednesday.
A balloon with a sign taped to it reading “CEO DOWN” above the image of a smiling star and party poppers was found outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan after Thompson, 50, was shot there Wednesday morning.
The balloon was spotted as many Americans joked about the CEO’s death because of his company’s record of denying medical claims.
The same image on the balloon was also shared on former Washington Post reporter Taylor Lorenz’s BlueSky account.
“People have a very justified hatred of insurance company CEOs because these executives are responsible for an unfathomable amount of death and suffering,” she wrote in a separate post.
“As someone against death and suffering, I think it’s right to fix this broken system and… [people] in power, who make this possible.’
In perhaps the most shocking post, Lorenz shared a news story about Blue Cross Blue Shield, announcing that anesthesia would not be covered for the entire duration of certain surgeries in some states.
She wrote, “And people wonder why we want these executives dead.”
Brian Thompson, 50, was shot dead outside the Hilton Hotel in Manhattan on Wednesday
A balloon with a sign reading “CEO DOWN” above the image of a smiling star and party poppers was found outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan.
A congressman has condemned internet trolls who are currently gloating over Thompson’s murder.
“It appears that leftists who oppose the killing of terrorists in the Middle East are supporting the assassination of CEOs in Midtown Manhattan,” wrote Rep. Dean Phillips.
Phillips, a Democrat who represents Thompson’s home district of Minnesota, spoke as online minds rejoiced at the health care chief’s cold-blooded execution.
Among them was a poster who wrote on
“I’m not sad that he’s dead.”
Another shared a gif of a pastor praising Jesus, writing, “CEOs of predatory companies getting ripped off, turn this up. Rest easy, Brian Thompson.”
Bluesky user Templin Jay wrote: “I don’t condone murder, but if they’re going to kill people, I can’t object too strenuously to them choosing someone who made his fortune by making healthcare worse and more expensive.
‘Caesar had his Brutus, Charles the First his Cromwell, and Brian Thompson, a man in a balaclava. If this is treason…
Thompson was executed by the gunman as he prepared to attend United Healthcare’s annual investor conference Wednesday. The medical giant is said to announce huge revenues and profits
The gunman waited outside for 10 minutes before opening fire (photo: police on scene)
BlueSky user Leslie Rising wrote: “blue cross following,” referring to another healthcare company in the country.
Others offered less tasteless criticism of Thompson’s killing, accusing UnitedHealthcare of “killing tens of thousands of Americans every year by denying them health care.”
Thompson was executed by a gunman who was still on the run as he prepared to attend United Healthcare’s annual investor conference Wednesday.
The medical giant reportedly reported huge revenues and profits, with Thompson, a married father, wearing a shirt and tie when he was shot.
Thompson’s shooter – a white man dressed in a mask and dark clothing – knew which door the CEO would be coming out of.
He waited outside for 10 minutes before opening fire, The New York Times reported.
Journalist Taylor Lorenz has sparked outrage after appearing to support the murder of UnitedHelathcare CEO Brian Thompson
The same image on the balloon appeared on her BlueSky account
The gunman – carrying a large black pistol that appeared to be equipped with a silencer – then fled on a bicycle and allegedly rode into Central Park.
NYPD officials have offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the gunman’s arrest.
Thompson sold $12 million worth of stock earlier this year as UnitedHealthcare faced a Justice Department investigation and a civil lawsuit over antitrust allegations.
His widow Paulette revealed that he had received threats in the lead-up to his death.