A fundraiser for Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has surpassed $120,000. Mangione, 26, was arrested on December 9 in Pennsylvania, days after the December 4 shooting outside a Manhattan hotel. He faces charges including second-degree murder and multiple gun-related offenses in New York, as well as separate charges in Pennsylvania. The fundraiser, hosted on the GiveSendGo platform, is titled “December 4th Legal Committee” and aims to raise $200,000 for Mangione’s legal defense. Its creators emphasized support for due process and fair legal representation, stating, “We are not here to celebrate violence”. The campaign has pledged all proceeds directly to Mangione or other defendants if he declines the funds. GiveSendGo defended hosting the fundraiser, citing the importance of access to legal defense regardless of wealth or public opinion. In contrast, GoFundMe has removed similar campaigns, citing policies against fundraising for violent crime defense, and has refunded donations. The case has sparked debate about privatized healthcare, with some speculating the killing could be linked to industry practices. Amazon has also removed merchandise referencing slogans allegedly tied to the shooting. Mangione remains jailed in Pennsylvania, fighting extradition to New York.

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