{"id":2548151,"date":"2026-01-22T17:31:01","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T22:31:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/unitedhealth-ceo-pays-tribute-to-brian-thompson-at-hearing\/"},"modified":"2026-01-22T17:33:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T22:33:09","slug":"unitedhealth-ceo-pays-tribute-to-brian-thompson-at-hearing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/unitedhealth-ceo-pays-tribute-to-brian-thompson-at-hearing\/","title":{"rendered":"UnitedHealth CEO pays tribute to Brian Thompson at hearing"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Funitedhealth-ceo-pays-tribute-to-brian-thompson-at-hearing%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2548151&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>At a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/whats-next-great-awakening-or-great-reset\/\" title=\"What\u2019s Next? Great Awakening or Great Reset?\">congressional hearing<\/a> of major health-care CEOs, UnitedHealth Group CEO Stephen Hemsley delivered a brief, emotional tribute to his predecessor Brian Thompson, who was assassinated in December 2024. Rep. Jacob Auchincloss gave Hemsley the floor; Hemsley condemned violence, called Thompson a &#8220;force for good,&#8221; praised his efforts to <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >address industry challenges<\/a>, and noted the family he left behind. Thompson was shot outside a health-care conference in New York; Luigi Mangione has been charged, pleaded not guilty, and is awaiting trial. The killing provoked importent online backlash and celebration among some groups, including memes and a legal-defense fundraiser for Mangione that raised over $1 million. A December Emerson College poll found 41% of 18-29-year-olds viewed the killing as at least somewhat acceptable, highlighting the intense and controversial public response.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">UnitedHealth CEO pays tribute to Brian Thompson at congressional hearing<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2232729\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/unitedhealth\/\">UnitedHealth<\/a> Group CEO Stephen Hemsley on Thursday paid tribute to his predecessor, Brian Thompson, who was <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/3265466\/luigi-mangione-hit-with-federal-charges-in-new-york-in-unitedhealthcare-ceo-murder\/\">assassinated in December 2024<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>During a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/reddit-user-says-research-led-him-to-believe-gamestop-undervalued\/\" title=\"Reddit user says research led him to believe GameStop undervalued\">hearing involving<\/a> several major healthcare company CEOs, Rep. Jacob Auchincloss (D-MA) took a moment to ask Hemsley about Thompson&rsquo;s character, giving him the floor to pay a brief tribute. Hemsley thanked him for the opportunity, appearing moved.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4430263\/paris-hilton-teams-up-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-push-house-pass-stalled-artificial-intelligence-deepfake-pornography-bill\/\">Paris Hilton teams up with AOC to push House to pass stalled AI deepfake porn bill<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4430189\/wesley-hunt-returns-dc-missing-votes\/\">Wesley Hunt ordered back to DC for crucial vote after being MIA all month<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4428980\/malliotakis-district-at-risk-after-judge-approves-new-york-redistricting-plan\/\">Malliotakis&#8217;s district at risk after judge approves New York redistricting plan<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;I think we can all disagree on many things, but I think one thing we can agree on is that violence or the threat of violence is not appropriate in any circumstances,&rdquo; Hemsley said. &ldquo;Brian Thompson was a force for good. He was a creative and effective man in terms of trying to address many of the challenges that have been presented.&rdquo; <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We miss him dearly, and I appreciate the opportunity to recognize him. And he left two very fine men behind as children and a wife and a family, and I think that as we bring things down to what is real in many of the conversations today, I appreciate you recognizing and giving an opportunity for that,&rdquo; he added.<\/p>\n<p>Hemsley&rsquo;s tribute was a rare focus on the humanity of Thompson, who was assassinated by a masked gunman outside of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/omicron-emptying-offices-college-goes-remote-again\/\" title=\"Omicron Emptying Offices, College Goes Remote Again\">healthcare conference<\/a> in New York City. Luigi Mangione has been charged with Thompson&rsquo;s murder, and his trial is ongoing. He has pleaded not guilty.<\/p>\n<p>Thompson&rsquo;s murder sparked a national sensation, as hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizens embittered with the healthcare system <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/3262732\/plurality-young-voters-believe-killing-healthcare-ceo-justified\/\">openly celebrated<\/a> his death, with some even idolizing Mangione. The months following the murder saw a deluge of memes posted on social media that mocked Thompson and praised Mangione, with the alleged assassin taking on the visage of a folk hero to many.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4429597\/health-insurance-executives-grilled-house-gop-democrats\/\">HEALTH INSURANCE EXECUTIVES GRILLED BY HOUSE GOP AND DEMOCRATS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A December 2024 Emerson College&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/emersoncollegepolling.com\/december-2024-national-poll-young-voters-diverge-from-majority-on-crypto-tiktok-and-ceo-assassination\/\">poll<\/a>&nbsp;found that 41% of 18-to-29-year-old voters believed the killing was somewhat or completely acceptable, compared to 40% who believed it was somewhat or completely unacceptable. Another 19% were neutral.<\/p>\n<p>A fundraiser for Mangione&rsquo;s legal defense raised over $1 million, with donors sending messages of support. One <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/plurality-of-young-voters-believe-unitedhealthcare-ceo-killing-was-justified-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Plurality of young voters believe UnitedHealthcare CEO killing was justified - Washington Examiner\">anonymous donor called<\/a> him a &ldquo;MAN OF THE PEOPLE,&rdquo; calling the McDonald&rsquo;s worker who allegedly tipped off police a &ldquo;CLASS TRAITOR.&rdquo; Another anonymous donor called him a &ldquo;hero and revolutionary&rdquo; and sent a $100 donation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>UnitedHealth CEO honors slain predecessor at hearing<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2653,"featured_media":2548152,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/brian_thompson.webp?w=400","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[46102,50913,50894],"class_list":["post-2548151","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-brian-thompson","tag-ceo-2","tag-unitedhealth"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/brian_thompson.webp?w=400","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2548151","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2653"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2548151"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2548151\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2548155,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2548151\/revisions\/2548155"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2548152"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2548151"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2548151"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2548151"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}