'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAb/xAAVAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAv/aAAwDAQACEAMQAAAAnYgt/8QAHxABAAICAgIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAgEDBAUABwYRIzJB/9oACAEBAAE/APO+09hdsdqRgnGuNBx77BlNfSHBVf5E/LyntvZV0gPVa+1kxEtJ+1z/xAAYEQACAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgERIf/aAAgBAgEBPwBkW5w//8QAFhEBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQAS/9oACAEDAQE/ANKF/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Following Luigi Mangione's arrest in the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, anonymous individuals set up online defense funds for the accused. According to a report by ABC News dated December 15, 2024, an anonymous group called "The December 4th Legal Committee" has raised over $100K of its goal of $200,000 via GiveSendGo.
While The December 4th Legal Committee's GiveSendGo fund account was taken down and restored on December 12, 2024, the group's statement as reported by Breitbart stated:
“We are not here to celebrate violence, but we do believe in the constitutional right to fair legal representation.”
Netizens quickly took to X to react to the news of people raising funds for Luigi Mangione wherein an X user expressed disbelief tweeting:
"They’re raising money for him? Wow! Society is LOST. @GiveSendGo He assassinated someone intentionally we cannot contribute to this. Society is doomed. Luigi Mangione GiveSendGo Defense Fund Crosses $100,000"
"Does this shock anyone? I don’t quite understand what’s happening…" an X user commented.
"The Bible says in the days before Jesus returns that the people " will call evil good and good evil." There are so many times we have seen this now..." another X user mentioned.
Additionally, netizens blamed people contributing to Luigi Mangione's GiveSendGo fund:
"Can you imagine being the person that thinks #Luigi Mangione is a hero? I thought we were against vigilante justice? I cannot keep up with you guys. 🤷🏼♂️" a netizen tweeted.
"Such IDIOTS‼️‼️‼️‼️How about they take that 💰💰 & help N. C. Hurricane victims that DESERVE help‼️‼️‼️" an X user stated.
On the other hand, some netizens supported the defense fundraiser:
"He has a right to a fair and speedy trial. @GiveSendGo should NOT remove the fundraiser regardless of the murder he committed," an X user tweeted.
"Well, if we believe in the concept of "innocence until proven guilty" then fundraisers for his defence should be allowed," another X user said.
"We allow campaigns to remain live unless they violate the specific terms"— GiveSendGo comments on the defense fund campaign for Luigi Mangione
Popular fundraising portal GoFundMe told Fox Business on December 11, 2024, that the platform had removed Luigi Mangione-related fundraisers. GoFundMe stated that donors had been refunded and the fundraises were removed as they violated the site's terms of service citing a prohibition on fundraisers for the "legal defense of violent crimes.”
Additionally, Etsy, a platform wherein people and businesses sell customized merchandise and art, featured listings for Luigi Mangione-themed cups, Christmas tree ornaments, and shirts. While the site did not make a statement about the same, TMZ reported on December 12, 2024, that Mangione-related items were "quietly pulled" from the listings.
GiveSendGo's defense funds for Luigi Mangione remain active despite other portals condemning the same. A spokesperson for the platform told ABC News on December 16, that the platform operates with a principle of not determining guilt or innocence proactively. The GiveSendGo spokesperson mentioned:
“Our platform does not adjudicate legal matters or the validity of causes. Instead, we allow campaigns to remain live unless they violate the specific terms outlined in our Terms of Use. Importantly, we do allow campaigns for legal defense funds, as we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to access due process.”
The GiveSendGo spokesperson added that while other platforms might approach the Mangione-related defense funds differently, their platform's core value is to "provide a space where all individuals, no matter their situation, can seek and receive support, with donors making their own informed decisions.”
Luigi Mangione's attorney Thomas Dickey talked to ABC News about the defense funds for his client stating "people are entitled to their opinion". He said that he is glad Mangione was receiving support.
According to a report by CBS News dated December 14, 2024, Luigi Mangione has been charged with five counts in Pennsylvania including firearms not to be carried without a license, forgery, false identification to law enforcement, tampering with records or identification, and possessing instruments of crime.
Additionally, he faces the charge of murder in New York concerning the case of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's shooting.
