Luigi Mangione defense fund raises over $350k as fans continue to rally around accused in United Healthcare CEO murder

Luigi Mangione has been taken into custody and is facing murder and terrorism charges in connection to the death of United Healthcare CEO, Brian Thompson. Thompson was shot on December 4, 2024, outside a hotel in Manhattan. Mangione was arrested a few days later, at a McDonald's in Pennsylvania following a nationwide manhunt. A gun was found in Mangione's backpack, which made him the prime suspect in the case.

Since then, he has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and is currently in jail in Brooklyn, according to Straight Arrow News.

While many are against Mangione, there are several people who are speaking in his favor. Some of his supporters have also set up a fundraiser to raise a defense fund for him.

A group named the December 4th Legal Committee has been formed by volunteers, who are supporting Luigi Mangione's right to a fair trial. The group has set up a fundraiser on GiveSendGo and originally set a limit of $200,000. However, according to the fundraiser page on the GiveSendGo website, the goal was soon surpassed. Collections have reached $355,149 at the time of publishing. As a result, the organizers of the fundraiser have increased their goal to $500,000.

Why are Luigi Mangione's supporters raising funds?

In a note to all donors, the organizers of the fundraiser have mentioned on the GiveSendGo page:

This is a preemptive legal fundraiser for the suspect allegedly involved in the shooting of the United Healthcare CEO. We are not here to celebrate violence, but we do believe in the constitutional right of fair legal representation.

The organizers of the fundraiser have introduced Mangione, saying:

Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old born and raised in Maryland, was taken into custody as a suspect in this case on December 9th.

Stating that they were trying to connect with Mangione at that time, they added:

we are writing him and his lawyer to open a line of communication. We are including some of the anonymous comments people have left here.

The organizers of the fundraiser also confirmed that if Mangione refused to take the funds, they will use them to help other US political prisoners and defendants. However, an update from February 10, 2025 confirmed that Mangione has agreed to use the funds and his team is collecting them on his behalf.

The fundraiser attracted more than 11,000 people who came forward to contribute for Mangione. Many also mentioned how they are supporting Mangione. However, others expressed their frustration over the incident. The average amount donated is $3.

Mangione is now expected to be present in court later this month.