CNN darling Kaitlan Collins received backlash for posting a link to accused UnitedHealthcare CEO killer Luigi Mangione’s defense page.
Mangione, 26, is accused of gunning down the giant health insurer’s chief executive, Brian Thompson, outside the New York Hilton Midtown on December 4.
His attorneys, from the Agnifilo Intrater law firm, set up a website documenting his case, including a message from the alleged killer thanking his fans.
‘I am overwhelmed by – and grateful for – everyone who has written me to share their stories and express their support,’ he said.
In the since deleted X post, Collins shared a link to the website, which also includes a section that directs visitors to fundraising page. The site itself does not have a fundraising page.
‘Luigi Mangione’s legal defense team has launched a new website today,’ Collins said on Friday.
Critics were quick to slam the network’s Chief White House Correspondent for sharing the link, claiming she was prompting the accused killer’s fundraiser.
‘Real bottom of the barrel stuff. Even for @kaitlancollins,’ said The Spectator contributing editor Stephen L. Miller.
CNN darling Kaitlan Collins received backlash for posting a link to accused UnitedHealthcare CEO killer Luigi Mangione ‘s defense page
Mangione, 26, is accused of gunning down the giant health insurer’s chief executive, Brian Thompson, outside the New York Hilton Midtown on December 4
‘This controversial action has sparked questions about why a CNN journalist would support such a criminal,’ another person said.
WMAL host Larry O’Connor said Collins, ‘used her considerable platform to promote a link for the defense fund of a cold-blooded killer. She has not yet apologized nor has she posted anything else in 24 hours.’
‘Promoting an alleged stone cold killer’s defense fund as a journalist is pretty gross stuff,’ a third person said.
Collins deleted the posted and replied to a New York Post story denying that she was promoting his fundraiser.
‘This is not true. I posted that his attorneys created a website, which is newsworthy and other outlets have also reported on. In no way did I share a fundraising link for him,’ she said.
In a statement to Mediaite, a CNN spokesperson said, ‘This was nothing more than a social post reporting news surrounding the trial.’
Mangione, despite being an accused cold-blooded murderer, has divided opinion since his identity was revealed at his arrest.
Many revere him as a hero for striking against UnitedHealthcare, the country’s biggest health insurer that denies the most claims by percentage, and the American health system in general.
Shell casings found at the scene were engraved with ‘delay’, ‘deny’, and ‘depose’ in reference to American health insurance tactics.
More than $400,000 has been raised by ‘sick’ fans who made it their mission to support his ongoing legal battle.
‘The American private health insurance industry has ruined countless lives by denying people access to basic care and burying families in medical debt,’ the December 4 Legal Committee backing the fundraiser said.
‘It’s no surprise that Luigi’s alleged actions are understood and supported by tens of millions of hard-working Americans.’
Mangione was detained on firearm charges and was carrying a ‘ghost gun’, believed to have been made with a 3D printer, when he was arrested.
Prosecutors alleged the gun was the same seen in CCTV footage where a hooded figure shot Thompson in the leg and back from behind.
He also was carrying a notebook expressing hostility toward the health insurance industry and especially wealthy executives, according to federal prosecutors.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said the application of the terrorism law reflected the severity of a ‘frightening, well-planned, targeted murder that was intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation
Mangione is being held in a Brooklyn federal jail alongside several other high-profile defendants, including Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and Sam Bankman-Fried.
