Journalist Taylor Lorenz has come under fire for comments made during an appearance on Piers Morgan Uncensored, where she addressed the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
The suspect in the killing, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, was arrested Monday in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and faces extradition to New York to face murder charges.
On Morgan’s program, Taylor Lorenz claimed that she and “so many other Americans” felt “joy” in the wake of Thompson’s murder. Her comments, which seemed to downplay the gravity of the cold-blooded killing, sparked immediate backlash both during the interview and online.
Taylor Lorenz: I felt joy when the CEO was k*lled
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) December 10, 2024
Taylor 10 seconds later: I never said I felt joy!
She then refuses to apologize and desperately tries covering for herself
She’s evil pic.twitter.com/NsSRX1VUdO
During the heated exchange, Taylor Lorenz initially stated, “I do believe in the sanctity of life, and that’s why I felt, along with so many other Americans, joy, unfortunately, because it feels like—” before being interrupted by Morgan, who expressed disbelief.
Morgan, showing footage of the shooting, reminded Lorenz that Thompson was a husband and father of two. Lorenz doubled down, responding, “So are the tens of thousands of Americans that he’s murdered—innocent Americans who died because greedy health insurance executives push policies denying care to the most vulnerable people.”
She went on to describe personal grievances with the healthcare system, recounting experiences where loved ones had suffered or died due to lack of care.
Lorenz insisted she wasn’t advocating violence, stating, “I want to fix the system” and condemning “vigilante justice.” However, she argued that the murder drew necessary attention to the flaws in American healthcare, a point Morgan called “appalling.”
This isn’t the first time Lorenz has been criticized for inflammatory remarks about Thompson’s murder. Following his death, she posted on social media, “And people wonder why we want these executives dead,” a statement that faced immediate backlash. Lorenz later clarified that her remarks were aimed at expressing public frustration with the healthcare industry and not a call for violence.
She also shared posts criticizing Blue Cross Blue Shield for changing a policy to limit anesthesia coverage during surgeries, tying it to the broader frustrations many feel toward health insurance companies.
In one instance, Lorenz shared a photo of Blue Cross Blue Shield CEO Kim Keck after Thompson’s death, which some interpreted as suggesting she was inciting violence against other healthcare executives.
Lorenz later clarified that she was advocating for a letter-writing campaign to target insurance executives with public pressure, not physical harm.
On Morgan’s show, Lorenz appeared to walk back her initial comment about feeling “joy,” claiming it was taken out of context. She argued that her statement wasn’t about celebrating Thompson’s death but about forcing “privileged people” to confront the harsh realities of the American healthcare system.
Morgan wasn’t convinced, calling her explanation “bullsh*t” and remarking, “I knew it would be my fault, as well, at some stage.”
Lorenz grew visibly defensive, accusing Morgan of cutting her off during the interview and misrepresenting her views. However, Morgan countered that her previous comments, including her social media posts, painted a clear picture of animosity toward healthcare executives.
Lorenz’s remarks have drawn widespread condemnation from both sides of the political spectrum. Critics have accused her of dehumanizing Thompson and using his murder as a platform for ideological attacks.
Social media users have lambasted her tone-deaf comments, with some suggesting that her rhetoric could incite further violence against healthcare leaders.
Others, however, have pointed out that her comments reflect widespread frustration with the American healthcare system. Many Americans face significant challenges accessing affordable care, and insurance companies are often blamed for policies perceived as prioritizing profit over patient well-being.
Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was fatally shot in a targeted attack outside a Manhattan hotel on Wednesday. Authorities believe Mangione, the alleged gunman, acted alone and was motivated by grievances against the healthcare industry. Police recovered a manifesto in Mangione’s possession that criticized the healthcare system and suggested violence as a solution.
Thompson’s murder has sparked a broader conversation about the pressures and animosity faced by corporate leaders in industries like healthcare.
Insurance executives have reportedly increased security measures, with many removing personal information and photos from public-facing company websites in the wake of the killing.
While Lorenz has attempted to clarify her comments, the damage to her reputation may already be done. Her remarks have highlighted the tension between legitimate criticisms of systemic issues and the danger of incendiary rhetoric.
"Bullsh*t! We don't censor things here… would you like to apologise?"
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) December 10, 2024
Piers Morgan plays Taylor Lorenz back the clip of her saying she felt "joy" after the murder of CEO Brian Thompson.
pic.twitter.com/BXWRV7JMYT
For now, the focus remains on bringing Mangione to justice and addressing the root causes of the frustration and despair driving such extreme acts. However, the debate surrounding Lorenz’s remarks underscores the complexity of navigating these issues in an increasingly polarized public discourse.