A University of Pennsylvania faculty member faces backlash after controversial social media posts about the alleged murderer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
At a Glance
- Julia Alekseyeva, a UPenn professor, made social media posts seemingly praising the educational background of the alleged murderer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson
- Alekseyeva’s posts went viral, lea.ding to criticism and prompting her to make her social media accounts private
- The incident has sparked debate about corporate accountability and the influence of educators on political discourse
- Luigi Mangione, 26, has been arrested and charged with the murder of Brian Thompson
- The case has highlighted widespread public frustration with the U.S. healthcare system
Controversial Posts Spark Outrage
Julia Alekseyeva, a faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania known for her socialist beliefs, has come under fire for social media posts that appeared to celebrate the educational background of the alleged murderer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The controversy intensified when prominent online figures, including the account Libs of TikTok and UPenn graduate Eyal Yakoby, shared and criticized Alekseyeva’s posts.
“DISGUSTING, UPenn professor Julia Alekseyeva celebrates the alleged UnitedHealthcare CEO’s assassin and that the murderer attended UPenn. To anyone wondering how America’s youth becomes so radical to murder someone, it is because of the extremist professors,” Yakoby said.
Alekseyeva’s posts included a TikTok video featuring a song from Les Miserables, which some interpreted as supportive of the alleged murderer’s actions. Following the backlash, Alekseyeva made her Instagram account private and removed her TikTok account.
Arrest and Charges
Luigi Mangione, 26, has been arrested and charged with the murder of Brian Thompson. Mangione was apprehended in Altoona, Pennsylvania, with a fake ID and a firearm with a silencer. He faces charges including Murder in the Second Degree.
Authorities reported finding a “handwritten manifesto” criticizing health-care companies in Mangione’s possession. The suspect, who holds a master’s degree from a Pennsylvania university, is being held on gun charges in Pennsylvania and will be extradited to New York to face murder charges.
Public Reaction and Broader Implications
The murder of Brian Thompson and the subsequent online reaction have highlighted deep-seated frustrations with the American healthcare system. Social media platforms saw an outpouring of posts mocking or celebrating Thompson’s death, reflecting widespread anger over health insurance issues.
The incident has sparked a broader debate about corporate accountability in the healthcare sector and the influence of educators on political discourse. It has also raised questions about the ethics of celebrating or justifying violence, even in the context of systemic grievances.
Academic Community Response
Alekseyeva is not the only academic figure to face criticism for comments related to Thompson’s murder. Anthony Zenkus from Columbia University also received backlash for his remarks on social media.
“Today, we mourn the death of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, gunned down…. wait, I’m sorry – today we mourn the deaths of the 68,000 Americans who needlessly die each year so that insurance company execs like Brian Thompson can become multimillionaires,” Zenkus said.
These incidents have prompted discussions about the responsibility of educators in shaping public opinion and the boundaries of academic freedom when commenting on sensitive political issues.
