Poll: 41% of young voters find killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO acceptable
Dec 18, 2024
(The Hill) - A poll found 41% of adults under 30 consider the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson acceptable, more than the 40% in that demographic who consider it unacceptable.
Anger over health insurance companies has been in the spotlight after Thompson was fatally shot Dec. 4 in New York City.
Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old, was arrested last week in Pennsylvania and faces charges in Thompson's killing.
The survey from Emerson College Polling found 68% of all respondents found the actions of the person who shot and killed Thompson unacceptable.
But a startling 24% of those aged 18-29 found it “somewhat acceptable,” and 17% of that group found it completely acceptable.
ALSO READ: Suspect charged with killing UnitedHealthcare’s CEO as an act of terrorism
Since Thompson was shot, first in the back and then again as he fell to the ground, a number of social media posts from people saying they do not have sympathy for his death have gained popularity.
Spencer Kimball, the executive director of Emerson College Polling, said 22% of Democrats said they found the killing acceptable, compared to 16% of independents and 12% of Republicans. He said the overall findings underscored "shifting societal attitudes among the youngest electorate and within party lines.”
Mangione was arrested Dec. 9 in Altoona, Pa., following a tip from a McDonald's employee. Law enforcement has not publicly disclosed his suspected motive, if one is known.
Mangione is slated to be appear in court in Pennsylvania on Thursday for gun charges he faces in the state. Another proceeding will take place Dec. 30; New York is attempting to extradite the Maryland native to the Empire State, where he faces a murder charge, according to court records.
The survey was conducted Dec. 11-13 among 1,000 registered voters. The margin of error was 3 percentage points.