By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2024-12-05 17:56:08 | Updated at 2024-12-22 21:50:12
2 weeks ago
Former Washington Post reporter Taylor Lorenz defended the gruesome execution of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson Wednesday in a sick social media post suggesting other healthcare executives should face similar fates — as hundreds of more twisted trolls took to the internet to revel in the tragedy.
“And people wonder why we want these executives dead,” Lorenz wrote on BlueSky, a microblogging social media network, alongside an article about how Blue Cross Blue Shield will no longer cover anesthesia for the full-length of some surgeries.
The tech reporter made the loathsome declaration just hours after Thompson, 50, was gunned down outside a Midtown hotel, leaving his two sons without a father.
Lorenz later shared another user’s post stating, “Hypothetically, would it be considered an actionable threat to start emailing other insurance CEOs a simple ‘you’re next’? Completely unrelated to current events btw.”
The journalist, who recently launched her own publication, User Mag, went on to support the criticism of Thompson and other company executives.
“People have very justified hatred toward insurance company CEOs because these executives are responsible for an unfathomable amount of death and suffering. As someone against death and suffering, I think it’s good to call out this broken system and the ppl in power who enable it,” she wrote.
Lorenz attempted to downplay her commentary several hours later, insisting she only meant to encourage “peaceful letter-writing campaigns.”
“I hope people learn the names of all of these insurance company CEOs and engage in very peaceful letter writing campaigns so that they stop ruthlessly murdering thousands of innocent Americans by denying coverage,” Lorenz wrote.
“Healthcare is a human right. We need universal healthcare now,” she added.
Lorenz led the pack of sick and unsympathetic internet trolls who came out of the woodwork Wednesday to celebrate Thompson’s death and decry the US healthcare system — with many taking direct aim at the company Thompson led.
“Today, we mourn the death of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, gunned down…. wait, I’m sorry – today we mourn the deaths of the 68,000 Americans who needlessly die each year so that insurance company execs like Brian Thompson can become multimillionaires,” wrote Columbia School of Social Work Professor Anthony Zenkus.
Others were more harsh toward the US healthcare system, with one person writing underneath a news article about the murder: “Did he have a pre-existing condition?”
“As someone covered under UnitedHealthCare I can completely understand the actions taken,” another person wrote.
Another X user made the evil remark: “I have United Healthcare, and I feel like shooting the CEO around this time every year when they raise the already ridiculous premiums and copays, so I’m not really surprised.”
“Got a push notification to exercise caution because the United Healthcare shooter is still at large,” comedian Samantha Ruddy wrote.. “I personally do not feel like I am on the shooter’s radar because I am not the CEO of a highly divisive multi billion dollar insurance company.”
Political activist Tobita Chow shared screenshots on X from TikTok showing users’ heartless reactions to the killing.
“Sending prior authorization, denied claims, collections & prayers to his family,” one commentator wrote. Another added: “I just can’t find the care. Maybe if they ask for preapproval of my care. Then after they care their required deductible I might be able to supplement some care.”
The internet also did not take kindly to UnitedHealthcare’s Facebook post expressing their sadness over Thompson’s death. The post, shared Wednesday afternoon, had received 35,000 “Haha” reactions compared to a measly 2,200 “sad” reactions.
Thompson was repeatedly shot by a masked gunman who had been waiting outside the Hilton hotel along Sixth Avenue, where the CEO was hosting an investors’ conference early Wednesday morning, said NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
“There had been some threats,” his wife Paulette Thompson told NBC News in her first comments since her husband was murdered early Wednesday.
“Basically, I don’t know, a lack of coverage?” she said, referring to her 50-year-old husband’s role as CEO of UnitedHealthcare’s insurance division.
“I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him,” she told NBC News by phone.
“I can’t really give a thoughtful response right now. I just found this out and I’m trying to console my children,” she added.
A manhunt was underway for the suspect as the NYPD and CrimeStoppers offered a $10,000 reward for information.
