The figure of Luigi Mangione, the young man accused of the murder of the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, continues to generate controversy and fascination on social media. His unexpected presence at a music event in Boston, Massachusetts, has taken the phenomenon to a new level, sparking applause and cheers among attendees.
The incident occurred during the "Jingle Bop," a popular party organized by the Bop to the Top collective, where DJs played hits that resonated with an entire generation, especially from the golden age of Disney Channel. In the middle of the set, while "He Could Be The One" by Hannah Montana was playing, images of Mangione were projected on the screens of the Big Night Live venue.
They show images of Luigi Mangione during a concert and the audience goes crazy
The crowd reacted with excitement upon recognizing the photos of the young man, who has gained notoriety since his arrest on December 9th at a McDonald's in Pennsylvania. A video of the moment, shared on TikTok, captured how the applause and cheers grew louder as the images continued to be projected.
The DJ, aware of the audience's reaction, sarcastically said, "Give the people what they want." The video of the concert quickly went viral, accumulating millions of views and likes on social media. The post was even shared by the organizers on their official Instagram account with the caption: "It's not too serious," making clear the lighthearted tone of the event.
However, the context behind Mangione is much darker. The 26-year-old is facing serious charges, including second-degree murder, after the CEO of UnitedHealthcare was found dead in New York.
Luigi Mangione has become an icon throughout the United States
At the time of his capture, he was found in possession of fake identifications, a gun with 3D printed parts, a silencer, and a manifesto strongly criticizing medical insurance companies. Despite the seriousness of the case, Mangione has reached "icon" status on social media.
Fundraising campaigns have managed to raise over 100 thousand dollars to cover Mangione’s legal expenses, and his lawyer has received multiple offers from people willing to finance his defense. The appearance of his images in a music concert demonstrates how pop culture can appropriate even the most unexpected and controversial events.