1776Reporting
Podcast giant Joe Rogan took aim at the health insurance industry, calling it “gross” while discussing the shocking assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Rogan speculated about the motives behind the killing, sparking widespread debate among his listeners.
Joe Rogan blasts ‘dirty’ health care insurance industry after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s murder: ‘It’s f–king gross’ https://t.co/4EmDBeO2JF pic.twitter.com/hmMa0LJH4y
— New York Post (@nypost) December 11, 2024
The 50-year-old executive was shot outside the Midtown Manhattan Hilton hotel last Wednesday, an incident that has fueled discussions nationwide about the ethics of health insurance companies. Authorities arrested 26-year-old Luigi Mangione in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on Monday, charging him with second-degree murder.
Rogan addressed the tragedy on his Tuesday podcast episode, recorded before news of Mangione’s arrest broke.
“The business of insurance is f–king gross,” Rogan declared, condemning what he views as predatory practices in the industry. Citing ValuePenguin research, Rogan noted that UnitedHealthcare has the highest claim denial rates among U.S. insurers, rejecting nearly one-third of all claims.
Rogan didn’t hold back while theorizing about Mangione’s possible motives. “I don’t think this guy was a professional. I think this guy, if I had to guess, [is] some guy [who] got f–ked over,” he speculated.
Film director Roger Avary, a guest on the show, shared a similarly blunt perspective. “I don’t think anybody’s going to be crying too hard over that guy,” Avary remarked about Thompson. Rogan, while acknowledging the loss for Thompson’s family, added, “but that’s about it.”
A Rising Star Turned Accused Killer
The episode gained even more traction as details about Mangione emerged. Once a shining star in academia, Mangione graduated as valedictorian from Maryland’s prestigious Gilman School. He later earned a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2020, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Mangione appeared in a Pennsylvania courtroom Tuesday for an extradition hearing. As reporters swarmed him, he lashed out, declaring, “It is completely out of touch and an insult to the intelligence of the American people.” Currently held without bail, Mangione has yet to enter a plea, though his lawyer, Thomas Dickey, insists he plans to plead not guilty.
A Catalyst for Public Debate
Brian Thompson’s death has reignited scrutiny of health insurance companies, with many pointing to widespread dissatisfaction with claim denials and high premiums. Rogan’s pointed criticism, paired with Mangione’s alleged actions, has amplified questions about the public’s frustration with an industry many find opaque and exploitative.
As the investigation continues, the story has morphed into a broader discussion about corporate accountability, public anger, and how far some may go when they feel wronged by powerful institutions.
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