The Mangione Trial

By BBC World ServiceTrue Crime

The Mangione Trial episodes

May 14, 2025 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
28 min
May 07, 2025 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
26 min
April 30, 2025 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
34 min
April 25, 2025 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
17 min
April 22, 2025 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
33 min
April 17, 2025 What's coming next
We just want to give you a quick update – a heads up that we have some new episodes on the way.
With this podcast, we are bringing you episodes when there are developments in the case but are also bringing you episodes in which we try to unpick and explain the facts and examine and get to the bottom of conspiracy theories.
On 23 April, we’ll be publishing the first of four new episodes – with the rest being published once a week for the following three weeks.
If you want to watch this podcast, it is also available on the BBC World Service YouTube channel channel: https://youtu.be/p-TntofsVfY
4 min
April 01, 2025 News update: US prosecutors seek death penalty
This is the podcast that takes a step back to unpick and understand this story, and we'll also be bringing you news updates.
US attorney general Pam Bondi has announced prosecutors will seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, the man accused of shooting dead UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December. Mangione’s lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo has released a blistering statement attacking the decision. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to state charges but has yet to enter a plea for federal charges. He is currently awaiting trial in a New York federal prison.
Jordan Dunbar discusses the developments with the BBC’s New York correspondent Nada Tawfik who explains the latest news, and answers a question being asked on social media; does New York have the death penalty?
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. Why was there such a reaction to Mangione on TikTok and Reddit?
We'll keep up to date with every development and explain what happens in the court process. If you have heard of a claim you want us to fact check, or a question for us to tackle, email us at [email protected].
If you want to watch this podcast, it is also available on the BBC World Service's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/p-TntofsVfY
13 min
February 22, 2025 News update: Mangione appears in court
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 appears in court for a brief hearing which draws hundreds of supporters, some chanting his name and wearing shirts adorned with his face.
Jordan Dunbar gets the latest from the courtroom, speaking to BBC correspondent Nada Tawfik and legal analyst Terri Austin, who were both at the hearing in New York.
Brian Thompson was a father of two and in December 2024 he was shot dead on the streets of New York, America’s biggest city. He left behind a shattered, grieving family. He was CEO of UnitedHealthcare, the largest health insurer in the United States.
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.
Luigi Mangione denies the charges he faces.
If you want to watch this podcast, it is also available on the BBC World Service's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/p-TntofsVfY
15 min
February 18, 2025 Who is Luigi Mangione and what’s he accused of?
This is the podcast that takes a step back to unpick and understand this story, and we'll also be bringing you news updates.
Accused of murder, Luigi Mangione’s case went viral. Jordan Dunbar presents a timeline of events, and with the help of guests Terri Austin and Joel Finkelstein, he examines the response to what happened.
Brian Thompson was a father of two and in December 2024 he was shot dead on the streets of New York, America’s biggest city. He left behind a shattered, grieving family. He was CEO of UnitedHealthcare, the largest health insurer in the United States.
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.
Luigi Mangione denies the charges he faces.
If you want to watch this podcast, it is also available on the BBC World Service's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/p-TntofsVfY
28 min
February 14, 2025 Introducing The Mangione Trial
Accused of murder, Luigi Mangione’s case went viral. We unpick the facts and conspiracies. Mangione has been charged with killing health insurance chief executive Brian Thompson. He was shot in broad daylight in New York in December 2024, leaving behind a shattered, grieving family. He was the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, the largest health insurer in the United States.
We will be trying to understand how such a shocking case set the internet and social media alight. Why was there such a reaction to Mangione on TikTok and Reddit? Why is there such fascination with people who are accused of such serious crimes? We will explore the US health industry and wider attitudes to capitalism and corporations.
Luigi Mangione was eventually arrested at a McDonald's in the town of Altoona in Pennsylvania.
How did a wealthy American college student, a class valedictorian with a seemingly perfect future, become the subject of a nationwide manhunt? His arrest has sparked countless conspiracy theories. We will follow the case and unpack the facts.
3 min

About The Mangione Trial

From the publisher's feed

Accused of murder, Luigi Mangione went viral. We explore why, and will bring you news updates on major developments in the case, from our BBC reporters.