UnitedHealth Group CEO Stephen Hemsley on Thursday paid tribute to his predecessor, Brian Thompson, who was assassinated in December 2024.
During a hearing involving several major healthcare company CEOs, Rep. Jacob Auchincloss (D-MA) took a moment to ask Hemsley about Thompson’s character, giving him the floor to pay a brief tribute. Hemsley thanked him for the opportunity, appearing moved.
“I think we can all disagree on many things, but I think one thing we can agree on is that violence or the threat of violence is not appropriate in any circumstances,” Hemsley said. “Brian Thompson was a force for good. He was a creative and effective man in terms of trying to address many of the challenges that have been presented.”
“We miss him dearly, and I appreciate the opportunity to recognize him. And he left two very fine men behind as children and a wife and a family, and I think that as we bring things down to what is real in many of the conversations today, I appreciate you recognizing and giving an opportunity for that,” he added.
Hemsley’s tribute was a rare focus on the humanity of Thompson, who was assassinated by a masked gunman outside of a healthcare conference in New York City. Luigi Mangione has been charged with Thompson’s murder, and his trial is ongoing. He has pleaded not guilty.
Thompson’s murder sparked a national sensation, as hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizens embittered with the healthcare system openly celebrated his death, with some even idolizing Mangione. The months following the murder saw a deluge of memes posted on social media that mocked Thompson and praised Mangione, with the alleged assassin taking on the visage of a folk hero to many.
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A December 2024 Emerson College poll found that 41% of 18-to-29-year-old voters believed the killing was somewhat or completely acceptable, compared to 40% who believed it was somewhat or completely unacceptable. Another 19% were neutral.
A fundraiser for Mangione’s legal defense raised over $1 million, with donors sending messages of support. One anonymous donor called him a “MAN OF THE PEOPLE,” calling the McDonald’s worker who allegedly tipped off police a “CLASS TRAITOR.” Another anonymous donor called him a “hero and revolutionary” and sent a $100 donation.