- Accused murderer Luigi Mangione received birthday donations
- His legal defense fund now exceeds $1 million
- Not everybody is supporting the 27-year old
Alleged killer Luigi Mangione saw his legal defense team fund skyrocket to $1 million on Tuesday, thanks to donations from his die-hard fans.
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Mangione is currently awaiting trial, where he faces the death penalty after being charged with the December 2024 murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City.
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The 27-year-old Ivy League graduate is being held in federal custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
He’s developed a controversial, cult-like following since entering the spotlight. Some people see him as a symbol of rebellion against the broken U.S. healthcare system, while others are just into his courtroom fashion.
Despite being accused of murder, he’s become internet-famous – and on his 27th birthday, it became clear just how much support he’s gained.
Luigi Mangione rakes in $1 million
Mangione’s GiveSendGo crowdfunding page – created by his legal committee to help fund the defense case – smashed the $1 million target on Tuesday.
His devoted supporters flooded the page with birthday-inspired $27 donations, as a way to celebrate him turning the age.
Since the page’s creation on 9 December 2024, when he was arrested from a Pennsylvania McDonald’s, more than 28,000 people have forked out for Mangione’s legal costs.
Magione pleaded not guilty to murder, stalking and a firearms offense at his Manhattan federal death penalty case last month.
Sam Beard, a spokesperson for the December 4 Legal Committee said Mangione “has become a contemporary folk hero, understood by millions to be a brave, righteous American concerned with the lived experience of the common man”.
Messages of support from devotees
On top of all that money, Magione has received countless messages from donation givers.
One anonymous giver from Ohio felt compelled to send a donation because their birthday is also in May: “Luigi, today is my birthday, so this is my gift to you. From one May baby to another, I wish you all the best. A kind soul like you deserves the world, and hopefully, soon, you will be barefoot on the beach under the hot sun. I am sending you my love and support from Ohio. 💚🎂💚”
Another sent $27 with a prayer, that read: “Dearest Luigi, I Hope you find JOY through these dark days and hold it’s LIGHT close to your Heart.❤️🩹 Praying for YOU and your Family, and for God to BLESS YOU with BRIGHTER DAYS AHEAD.💛 Happy Birthday, Love.💗”
Others urged the defense team to “Keep fighting them!” and offered words of support such as “Make them listen” and “We stand by you, Luigi!”, as well as many birthday wishes for Mangione.
Not everybody is backing Mangione, however, as shown by outspoken conservative artist Scott LoBaido who showed up at the courthouse among supporters with a message of his own.
“F*** Luigi Mangione and his j**off followers,’ his sign read. He had with him a fake electric chair with a skeleton dressed as Luigi – the Mario Bros character – sitting in it.