A group of three self-described journalists, who are also ardent supporters of Luigi Mangione, the alleged killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, have once again expressed their backing for the accused.
Ashley Rojas, an independent writer on Substack, did not hold back her feelings when she told the Daily News outside Mangione’s evidence suppression hearing in Manhattan, “I’m saying forget Brian Thompson. I couldn’t care less that he died.” Thompson was the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, and Mangione is currently on trial for his murder, which took place in December 2024. Read more here.
Rojas was joined by fellow supporters, Lena Weissbrot and Abril Rios, who are also part of the group claiming allegiance to Mangione, referring to themselves as ‘Mangionistas’.
Weissbrot echoed similar sentiments, adding, “I liked it,” in reference to the incident, and continued with equally provocative remarks.
She went on to say, “His children are better off without him. They should learn not to emulate their father. And enjoy the blood money, kids!”
News reporter Molly Crane-Newman filmed the interaction.
Rojas and Weissbrot were both seen holding official press credentials awarded by Mayor Zohran Mamadani’s office and the New York Supreme Court.
‘We’re a trio,’ Rojas told the News at a point.
Abril Rios and Lena Weissbrot are seem speaking with Daily News reporter Molly Crane-Newman outside Luigi Mangion’s evidence suppression hearing in Manahttan on Monday. Both obtained official credentials from the city
Thompson, then 50, was gunned down on December 4, 2024, while attending UnitedHealthcare’s annual investor day convention
Weissbrot maintained the late father-of-two ‘was responsible for more deaths than Osama bin Laden’ because of his work.
Thompson, then 50, was gunned down on December 4, 2024.
The words ‘Delay, Deny, Defend’ were found scrawled on the bullets, in apparent reference to criticism UnitedHealthcare has faced for purported hesitance to pay claims.
‘And I remember Americans celebrating when Osama bin Laden was killed,’ Weissbrot continued.
‘Our government and these health insurance companies, they’re literally stealing our money and using it to kill us.
‘Like, come on – the American people need to stand up for themselves.
‘It’s about time. It’s beyond time.’
Rojas then introduced Rios, who used the murder to stress the importance of the Second Amendment.
The words ‘Delay, Deny, Defend’ were found on bullets feds said were fired by Mangione, who appeared in court as the procession waited. officers conducted an ‘improper, warrantless search’ of Mangione’s backpack during his December 2024 arrest, a judge ruled
The so-called ‘Mangionistas’ outside the hearing in Manhattan on Monday
‘I mean, why do we protect the Second Amendment so much? Is it to allow people to shoot up schools? Or is to protect democracy.’
Weissbrot interrupted: ‘It is to kill tyrants!’
Rios continued: ‘I’m not saying we should all take up arms, but when your democracy has eroded and there are no other options, what are we meant to do?’
Weissbrot added that ‘most average Americans support Mangione’ and are ‘fed up with being exploited and treated like cattle’ by health insurance corporations.
Moments earlier, Judge Gregory Carro ruled a notebook that police found in Mangione’s backpack during his arrest can be introduced at trial.
Prosecutors will also be allowed to present the 9mm ‘ghost gun’ – the alleged murder weapon they say he used to kill Thompson – as evidence.
Other items recovered during his arrest will not go before the jury, after officers conducted an ‘improper, warrantless search’ of Mangione’s backpack at the Pennsylvania McDonald’s where he was cuffed.
His trial is still slated for October.