A recent poll has revealed that 41 percent of adults under the age of 30 consider the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson to be “acceptable,” a statistic that is nearly equal to the 40 percent who deem it “unacceptable.” The poll, conducted by Emerson College Polling, was released following Thompson’s tragic death on December 4, 2024, when he was shot in New York City.
The shooting, which involved a 26-year-old suspect, Luigi Mangione, has sparked significant controversy, particularly in the context of growing dissatisfaction with health insurance companies. According to the survey, a majority of respondents (68 percent) across all age groups found the actions of Thompson’s killer unacceptable, but support for the killing was disturbingly high among younger adults. Among those aged 18 to 29, 24 percent found the act “somewhat acceptable,” while 17 percent found it completely acceptable.
The survey results underscore a growing disillusionment with the healthcare industry, which has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years. Social media discussions following the incident have seen some individuals express a lack of sympathy for Thompson, further fueling the polarization around the issue.
Spencer Kimball, the executive director of Emerson College Polling, noted the striking divide across party lines. “Twenty-two percent of Democrats, compared to 16 percent of independents and 12 percent of Republicans, found the killing acceptable,” Kimball said. “These results highlight shifting societal attitudes, especially among younger voters and across political affiliations.”
