The Mangione Trial

• Politics and appearance: Mangione's supporters explained

  A deep dive into the supporters of Luigi Mangione, featuring some exclusive new data, and considering how this case might be influencing US social attitudes to political violence. BBC World Service Disinformation reporter Jacqui Wakefield joins us to discuss why some people around the world have taken to this case so passionately. We’re also joined by Joel Finkelstein, from the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) and Ioana Literat, a communications specialist from Columbia University Teacher’s College. While the murder may have taken place in the US, the reaction was truly global. Some of the posts and opinions normally associated with the extremes of the internet moved into the mainstream with some people on TikTok, Instagram and X getting involved. From healthcare reform to anti-capitalist sentiment, the reasons behind the online support toward murder suspect Luigi Mangione are incredibly varied. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of murder, firearms offences and stalking. The 27-year-old may face two trials, as he has also pleaded not guilty to state charges for murder. The Mangione Trial podcast takes a step back to unpick and understand the facts and conspiracies surrounding this case. We explore why this story has engrossed so many different people around the world and bring you major news updates as they happen. Got a claim you want us to fact check? Email: [email protected] or WhatsApp: +44 330 678 33 63 If you want to watch this podcast, it is also available on the BBC World Service's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz_B0PFGIn4dqQA7wr_EnhoqLNVKsFBtE

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• Behind the memes: Luigi Mangione and Brian Thompson

  A deep dive into the lives of Luigi Mangione and the man he is accused of murdering – healthcare executive Brian Thompson. Who is the real Luigi Mangione and what do we know about his alleged victim? BBC reporter Mike Wendling joins us from Chicago to tell us more about the health insurance CEO Brian Thompson, who was gunned down outside a New York hotel. In his first broadcast interview, a friend and colleague of Brian Thompson shares recollections of the health insurance executive. From Luigi Mangione’s hometown, journalist Julie Scharper, from the online newspaper The Baltimore Banner, discusses the background of the Mangione family and sheds light on Luigi Mangione’s movements in 2024. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of murder, firearms offences and stalking. The 27-year-old will now face two trials, as he has also pleaded not guilty to state charges for murder. The Mangione Trial podcast takes a step back to unpick and understand the facts and conspiracies surrounding this case. We explore why this story has engrossed so many different people around the world and bring you major news updates as they happen. Got a claim you want us to fact check? Email: [email protected] or WhatsApp: +44 330 678 33 63 If you want to watch this podcast, it is also available on the BBC World Service's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz_B0PFGIn4dqQA7wr_EnhoqLNVKsFBtE

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• The Mangione conspiracy theories

  Pokemon, number 286, eyebrow length – we explore the popularity of conspiracy theories and where they come from. This episode unpicks some of these theories and why they spread on platforms like TikTok and Reddit. Over three million posts went up on social media the week after the shooting of healthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the arrest of suspect Luigi Mangione in December 2024. While the many posts expressed horror at a cold blooded murder, some shared theories about the case. Luigi Mangione denies the charges against him. This episode will explore why this case has engrossed so many different people around the world and ask why conspiracies have become so popular in online culture. Jordan Dunbar speaks to disinformation journalist David Gilbert of Wired magazine and clinical psychologist Dr Shauna Bowes. They examine why this case garnered such attention online. The Mangione Trial podcast takes a step back to unpick and understand the facts and conspiracies surrounding this case. We explore why this story has engrossed so many different people around the world and bring you news updates as they happen. Got a claim you want us to fact check? Email: [email protected] or WhatsApp: +44 330 678 33 63 If you want to watch this podcast, it is also available on the BBC World Service's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/p-TntofsVfY

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• Court update: Mangione’s plea

  This is the podcast that takes a step back to unpick and understand this story, and we'll also be bringing you news updates. Luigi Mangione enters his pleas to all federal charges over the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mr Thompson, a father of two, was gunned down outside a Manhattan hotel late last year. Mangione faces four federal charges - murder, using a weapon with a silencer, and two counts of stalking. Prosecutors are seeking a death penalty. Jordan Dunbar hears from the BBC’s New York correspondent Nada Tawfik, who was in the packed Manhattan courtroom to hear Mangione enter his plea. Nada unpacks the important developments in the hearing, and describes the scenes as Mangione supporters gather outside.The Mangione Trial podcast unpicks the conspiracies around Luigi Mangione and considers the facts. The reaction to the murder of Brian Thompson and his suspected killer has been unprecedented. We will look at how such a shocking case set social media alight. If you want to watch this podcast, it is also available on the BBC World Service YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/p-TntofsVfY

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  16:29
• How US healthcare works

  This is the podcast that takes a step back to unpick and understand this story, and we'll also be bringing you news updates.The murder of health insurance CEO Brian Thompson shocked America but also led to rallies and protests about the country’s complicated and sometimes controversial healthcare system. Phrases like “Deny Defend Depose” appeared on social media. The same words were chanted at protest rallies in the weeks after Luigi Mangione was arrested. What do these slogans mean, and what have they got to do with a murder on the streets of New York? This episode explores how the health insurance system works in the United States and hears from one woman who says she spent $40,000 trying to get treatment for her daughter. The insurance company paying for the treatment explains why they believe there were delays in the process. The Mangione Trial podcast unpicks the conspiracies around Luigi Mangione and considers the facts. The reaction to the murder of Brian Thompson and his suspected killer has been unprecedented. We will look at how such a shocking case set social media alight.If you want to watch this podcast, it is also available on the BBC World Service's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/p-TntofsVfY

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