By PERKIN AMALARAJ
Published: 08:28 EST, 10 December 2024 | Updated: 08:30 EST, 10 December 2024
Amazon has pulled merchandise inspired by the words written on bullets used to kill UnitedHealthcase CEO Brian Thompson.
Thompson, 50, was killed just before 7am on December 4 by a lone gunman, believed to be 26-year-old Ivy League-educated Luigi Mangione.
The words 'deny', 'defend' and 'depose' were etched into the bullets and casings found at the scene of the shooting, a midtown Manhattan Hilton hotel.
These words have found their way onto pint glasses, wind tumblers, sweatshirts and baseball caps that are being sold on online stores across the internet, amid swelling support for Mangione's alleged actions.
Amazon shoppers could order T-shirts with 'Deny Defend Depose' on them on a listing described as related to 'healthcare insurance awareness' for just $24.55, the Washington Post reported.
The newspaper added that a 'Vibrant Color Vinyl Detail for Cars' with the three-word slogan was being flogged for $6.99, while a 'United Healthcare Parody Deny Defend Depose Wine Tumbler' described as a gift 'For Auntie' was $12.59.
Searching the three-word phrase on Amazon now results only in Jay Feinman's book titled 'Delay, Defend, Deny: Why insurance company don't pay claims, and what you can do about it', the book that Mangione was apparently inspired by.
Though Amazon has purged its site of merchandise related to the shooting, Etsy, RedBubble and eBay, three major e-commerce platforms, are still hosting a huge number of related items.
Luigi Mangione (pictured outside Blair County Court House in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. December 9, 2024) is accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson
Amazon has pulled shooter-inspired merchandise from its site
One particularly egregious merchandise seller was flogging figurines of Mangione on Instagram
Etsy is selling shooting-inspired laptop decals for as little as $4.70, while RedBubble's best-selling item is a gray T-shirt with the three-word phrase on it that is being sold for just $26.
One particularly egregious merchandise seller was flogging figurines of Mangione on Instagram.
Dano Brown, who has 72,000 followers on Instagram, posted a picture of the miniature version of the shooter, holding a gun, to his page with the caption: 'Commissions are open. Email me your idea for a quote.'
Brown's fans shared adoring comments underneath the post.
One wrote: 'The best thing you’ve made.'
Another said: 'Now that’s a Real American Hero.'
DailyMail.com has contacted Etsy, RedBubble and eBay for comment.
Mangione has been arrested on firearms charges in Pennsylvania. As of Monday evening, he was officially charged with murder in New York.
The e-commerce behemoth was selling shirts for as little as $17.98
Etsy is also selling swathes of Deny Defend Depose merchandise, including laptop decals and sweatshirts
RedBubble, another clothes company, is selling merchandise inspired by the shooting
The phrase is seemingly inspired by Jay Feinman's book titled 'Delay, Defend, Deny: Why insurance company don't pay claims, and what you can do about it'
Since he was formally charged, his countless fans have been trying to raise money for his defence against the allegations.
Multiple short-lived campaigns appeared on GoFundMe that were quickly taken down by the donations site.
One page's description, titled 'Legal Defense for Suspect in UnitedHealthCare [sic] CEO death' read: 'Raising legal funds for the suspect accused of killing the UnitedHealthCare CEO who announced they would deny payment for anesthesia during surgeries that ran long or had complications.
'This is a very emotionally and politically charged issue. Everyone deserves a fair trial and competent legal representation.'
Another read: 'Luigi has risked everything to stand up to corporations that are destroying American lives.
'It is our duty to support this man so his story can be told and why it matters to us and our families. We the people for the people!'
GoFundMe's terms and conditions clearly state that pages raising money for 'the legal defense of financial and violent crimes, including those related to money laundering, murder, robbery, assault, battery, sex crimes, or crimes against minors' are not allowed.
But other fundraising sites have kept campaigns in support of Mangione up.
Luigi Mangione, 26, was taken into custody on firearm charges Monday afternoon
The alleged killer was pictured inside his jail cell
Mangione is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson at point-blank range on December 5
There are at least two GiveSendGo pages that have collectively raised nearly $8,000 for Mangione's defense.
One page's description read: 'Funds are being raised to pay Mr. Mangione’s legal fees incurred by the criminal charges filed and any future civil lawsuits that may arise, as well as expenses related to his defense. All contributions are greatly appreciated.
'Any proceeds collected, which exceed those necessary to cover Mr. Mangione’s legal defense, will be donated to an appropriate charity to be determined at a later date.'
The other page's description read: 'This is a preemptive legal fundraiser for the suspect allegedly involved in the shooting of the United Healthcare CEO. We are not here to celebrate violence, but we do believe in the constitutional right of fair legal representation. Please share in your networks!
'Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old born and raised in Maryland, was taken into custody as a suspect in this case on December 9th. Efforts are underway to get in touch with him and his lawyers. All proceeds will be sent directly to Luigi or, if he chooses to reject the funds, they will instead be donated to legal funds for other U.S political prisoners.'