Debunking false claims about UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting | Fact check roundup
The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Dec. 4 prompted a national discussion on healthcare costs that included outcry from lawmakers and support for the shooting from frustrated consumers.
It also prompted a days-long search for the shooter, which ultimately led to the arrest of 26-year-old Luigi Mangione at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s.
Mangione was charged with state-level crimes in New York and Pennsylvania, which included charges of murder as an act of terrorism. He was later charged with federal crimes that make the death penalty possible if Mangione is convicted. Thomas Dickey, an attorney representing Mangione in Pennsylvania, has said his client intends to plead not guilty to his charges.
Misinformation surrounding the shooting and Mangione have swirled in the weeks since Thompson's death. Here’s a roundup of checks from the Paste BN Fact Check Team:
Claim: Images show Luigi Mangione’s manifesto
Our rating: Altered
The images do not show Mangione's manifesto. The NYPD had not released the suspected shooter's manifesto as of Dec. 17, and the details provided by the police don't match up with the document shown in the post. The real manifesto is shorter and handwritten.
Full fact check: Viral images don’t show Luigi Mangione’s manifesto, which was handwritten
Claim: Biden can pardon Luigi Mangione
Our rating: False
Presidents can only pardon individuals for federal crimes. Mangione is not eligible for a presidential pardon because he has only been charged with state-level crimes as of Dec. 16, experts told Paste BN.
Full fact check: Biden can’t pardon Luigi Mangione if he’s not charged with federal crimes
Claim: Video shows UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson talking about Nancy Pelosi
Our rating: False
The video shows a different man with the same name as the slain UnitedHealthcare CEO.
Full fact check: Video doesn’t show slain CEO talking about working with Nancy Pelosi
Claim: Image shows New York Times headline calling ‘glorification’ of Luigi Mangione ‘anti-Israeli’
Our rating: Altered
The image was digitally edited to change the headline. A New York Times spokesperson said the newspaper never published it.
Full fact check: New York Times didn’t publish ‘anti-Israeli’ headline about Luigi Mangione
Claim: Image shows UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect’s fake ID
Our rating: Satire
The image shows a replica of a prop from the movie “Superbad,” as made clear by the name "McLovin." The image was digitally edited to add Mangione’s face.
Full fact check: This isn’t Luigi Mangione’s fake ID. It’s a doctored ‘Superbad’ replica
Claim: Slain UnitedHealthcare CEO was scheduled to testify against Nancy Pelosi for insider trading
Our rating: False
A spokesperson for California Rep. Nancy Pelosi said the claim is false. There is no credible evidence of an insider trading investigation into the former House speaker, much less that Thompson was scheduled to testify against her when he was killed.
Full fact check: No evidence Brian Thompson was set to testify against Nancy Pelosi
Post implies connection between medical debt forgiveness and UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting
Our rating: Missing context
The implied claim is false. The medical debt cancellations in North Carolina highlighted in the post were announced in September, more than two months before Thompson's murder.
Full fact check: Medical debt forgiveness announced months before insurance CEO's slaying
Claim: Video shows people celebrating in New York after UnitedHealthcare CEO was killed
Our rating: False
The video is miscaptioned. It was first shared in late November, about two weeks before the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, and shows people celebrating after a concert.
Full fact check: Video shows party after concert, not celebration of insurance CEO’s murder
Claim: Image shows Elon Musk post about UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect
Our rating: False
The image of the X post is a fabrication. There is no record of it on Musk’s account.
Full fact check: No, Elon Musk didn’t post defending insurance companies after CEO shooting
Claim: Image shows UnitedHealthcare job listing for new CEO
Our rating: Altered
The image is fabricated. No such job posting appears on UnitedHealthcare’s LinkedIn page or website, and a company spokesperson said the listing was "fake." The listed salary range is also far below what the CEO compensation would be.
Full fact check: Image of job listing for UnitedHealthcare CEO after NYC shooting is fake
Claim: Image shows Musk post saying world can’t function without CEOs
Our rating: Altered
There's no evidence of such a post on Musk’s account. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO hasn’t posted anything directly naming Thompson or UnitedHealthcare since the CEO’s death.
Full fact check: Supposed Musk post about CEOs after UnitedHealthcare shooting is fabricated
Claim: UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter identified as ‘Samuel H. Ide’
Our rating: False
No credible news or police reports have identified the healthcare executive's shooter as "Samuel H. Ide." The photo in the post shows comedian Sam Hyde, who has been repeatedly and falsely linked to high-profile attacks for years.
Full fact check: Post falsely links comedian to UnitedHealthcare CEO killing