Dem
47
GOP
53
An Emerson College poll that asked about the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in cold blood revealed a startling result: 41% of adults 18-29 found the killing acceptable. In fact, 17% said it was completely acceptable, with 24% saying it was somewhat acceptable. On social media, the killer is being celebrated as a hero, rather than being treated as a cold-blooded killer. The poll shows that the feeling across social media is shared by a large number of young people. However, 40% consider the killing unacceptable. Still, about half don't have a lot of trouble with it. That is shocking.
The partisan breakdown was as follows: 22% of Democrats, 16% of independents, and 12% of Republicans found the killing acceptable.
The legal system thinks otherwise. The suspect, Luigi Mangione, was indicted on 11 counts yesterday, including first degree murder and terrorism. That said, if sympathy for his actions is so widespread, it could be very tough to get a jury to vote unanimously to convict. (V)