Is there a more creative way to clout-chase than to tag an alleged assassin in your Instagram photo dump? For some aspiring influencers, every view counts.
After 26-year-old Luigi Mangione was named as a “person of interest” in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, it was only a matter of minutes before his X, Instagram, and even Goodreads accounts were identified and dissected by online sleuths.
Despite last posting in 2021, the Instagram account @luigi.from.fiji quickly skyrocketed from 1,300 followers to over 74,000. Mangione’s posts show him travelling to various countries, including Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Mexico, hiking around volcanoes and posing in bars. He also shared photos from his fraternity whilst attending the University of Pennsylvania. But while some were busy commenting on Mangione’s physical appearance and possible motives, others saw an opportunity and ran with it.
The account’s tagged photos, originally made up of snaps posted by family and friends, were quickly clogged by those trying to push their photo dump or reel in front of thousands of curious eyes. One influencer tagged the account in a thirst trap from a boudoir shoot, according to The Cut. Another influencer tagged a reel documenting his “Euro summer,” filled with fit checks, flashy watches and club dancefloors (he only ended up getting 4,886 views). A third tagged Mangione in several selfies, one at the beach, another featuring pumpkins. Mangione’s Instagram account has since been suspended, in case any influencers were considering jumping on the bandwagon.
After being charged with murder on Monday, the public interest in Mangione and those around him shows no signs of slowing down. The shooting has captured the internet’s attention, with many people making light of the killing or outright applauding it. The targeting of Thompson and the shooter’s message has brought to the fore a conversation regarding the injustices in the American healthcare system.
While some are responding to the news coverage by sharing their own personal stories of coverage denial, mistreatment and financial hardship they’ve faced at the hands of the system, other’s are simply in it for the clout.
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