Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy doesn’t understand the “thirst” over alleged UnitedHealthcare CEO killer Luigi Mangione, as he called the trend “weird” this week.
Mangione, who is accused of the fatal shooting of Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan last week, has been the subject of widespread swooning – with many netizens focusing on his appearance rather than his alleged crimes.
However, Portnoy does not participate in the discussion surrounding the 26-year-old suspect.
“People are thirsting for the killer of United Healthcare. I think this is weird,” he said in a new episode of BFFs. “Like I get jokes, he’s torn. But he’s a murderer.
‘I also don’t understand why people think there are a lot of people angry about the healthcare system. You are entitled to your opinion, but a murder is a murder,” he continued.
Mangione has been charged second-degree murder in New York, as well as three weapons charges and forgery.
Many Internet users have commented on Luigi Mangione’s actions during his arrest
But Barstool Sports CEO Dave Portnoy finds the ‘thirst’ over the alleged killer ‘weird’
Mangione is seen in a mugshot taken at the police station in Altoona, Pennsylvania on December 9
On Monday, Mangione was arrested while eating at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
But while the manhunt for him was underway, many images of him beforehand – including a shirtless photo – spread online, causing internet users to covet his appearance.
The conversation even continued on late night TV, as Stephen Colbert joked about Mangione’s appearance.
During Monday night’s show, after the arrest, Colbert made some comments about his abs.
“This story started tragically, but quickly turned strange because when authorities initially released security photos of the suspect, the internet reacted quickly and furiously,” Colbert said during his monologue.
Later he said, “You know that guy’s Italian because you can grate Parmesan cheese all over those abs.”
According to The New York Posthis family was so concerned about him that he was reported missing on November 18.
When he was brought into court by a horde of sheriff’s deputies Tuesday afternoon in Altoona, Pa., he shouted angrily.
“It is completely unacceptable and an insult to the intelligence of the American people and their experiences,” he said.