UnitedHealthcare CEO Shooting: Experts Explain Social Media Response

The assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, gunned down in broad daylight in Midtown Manhattan earlier this week, has left family, friends, and colleagues in mourning. While many have expressed shock and sadness over the tragedy, parts of social media have taken a different tone, with some users reacting with indifference, anger, or scorn.

Thompson’s untimely death has not only shaken the business world but has also reignited frustration among those critical of the health care industry. Online conversations range from speculative theories about the motives behind the killing to dark humor and pointed commentary about the state of health care.

While some people have shared heartfelt tributes, much of the attention online has been dominated by backlash and frustration aimed at the health care industry. To understand why reactions to the 50-year-old father’s death are so divided, Newsweek spoke with two experts.

Mike Fahey, CEO and founder of Fahey Communications, a national PR firm specializing in political campaigns, told Newsweek: “Brian Thompson’s death sparked outrage and frustration among many Americans over the U.S. health insurance industry. For many, he was the face of an unfair and exploitative system.

“This was particularly true for those who believe that Thompson and his kind exist to deny health care and lifesaving medical procedures to those whose lives hang in the balance. In the aftermath of his death, some social media users have used Thompson’s passing to discuss this most divisive of American subjects.”

‘A highly respected colleague’

“We are shattered to hear about the senseless killing of our beloved Brian,” Thompson’s wife Paulette Thompson wrote in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives.”

UnitedHealth Group said in a statement, “Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him.”

According to posts online, it appears that members of the public disagree.

“Trying to send my thoughts and prayers to the dead healthcare ceo but I’m still on hold,” one X user posted.

Users Forget They Are Talking About ‘Real People’

Fahey described the responses as “heartless” and explained why platforms like X, Facebook, and TikTok are “so quick to create an atmosphere where a lack of empathy seems somewhat normal.”

He told Newsweek: “Users forget they are in conversations about real people with real emotions. All of this misses the mark in advocating for the broader social issues sometimes at play. Yet, in seeking the enlarged perspectives that platforms make possible, we may also be using them to seek validation from those who overlap in the demographic of ‘satisfied users.'”

Newsweek reached out to United Healthcare via email for comment.

‘Why Do People React This Way?’

Newsweek also spoke to Nicole Paulie, the mental health clinical lead at Spectrum Life, a provider of digital health solutions for insurers, employers, and third-level institutions.

“Why do people react this way?” she said. “For many, these tragedies provide a concrete and emotional lens through which to view abstract and overwhelming issues. Systemic problems, like health care inequities or gun violence, often feel too vast and entrenched to tackle directly.

“Personal stories, however, make these issues feel more immediate and real, offering a rallying point for discussion or action. For some, engaging with these stories in this way is a coping mechanism—a way to channel feelings of helplessness, frustration, or disillusionment into something that feels actionable. Others may see these moments as an opportunity to draw attention to societal flaws, hoping to inspire change by linking the personal with the political.”

UnitedHealthcare was under investigation by the Department of Justice for alleged antitrust violations, Daily Mail reported. Meanwhile, its parent company, UnitedHealth Group (UHG), has faced criticism from dissatisfied patients who claim that the insurer denied essential care coverage.

“Psychologically, several factors contribute to this behavior,” Paulie said. “Deindividuation often plays a role on social media, where the anonymity and physical detachment from others can make people less aware of the human impact of their words.

“This can lead to comments or posts that feel insensitive, as the individual becomes reduced to a symbol for larger societal issues rather than being recognized as a person with a family and loved ones.

“Additionally, moral outrage and virtue signaling are common online. People may feel compelled to express strong opinions or share their values publicly in response to tragedies, often to align themselves with perceived social good, like advocating for healthcare reform or gun control. While these behaviors can raise awareness, they can sometimes come across as performative or dismissive of the deeply personal nature of the loss.”

Empathy Fatigue

Paulie highlights how the constant exposure to tragedies on social media can result in empathy fatigue, leading to reactions like humor or scorn as users disconnect from the tragedy.

She told Newsweek: “Social media’s speed and virality exacerbate these issues. Its reactive nature often rewards engagement, whether through shock value, humor, or outrage over reflection or empathy. As a result, it becomes easier for users to focus on the systemic implications of a tragedy rather than on the real people and grieving families at its center.”

The STOP Technique:

Dr. Meg Arroll, a psychologist, scientist, and author specializing in health and well-being, shared a technique for people to try before posting a comment that may be harmful.

“The vast majority of the population would not make these remarks in person to a grieving family,” she told Newsweek. “This is no justification for the behavior but a framework to try to understand it. There is a great deal of anger and frustration in the U.S. regarding the cost of living here, which certainly is a factor, as also seen in the recent election outcome.

“Health insurance premiums have risen exponentially, and the healthcare system is complex, which can lead it to feel somewhat inhumane. This confluence of factors may go some way in explaining the observed online behavior.”

Speaking to Newsweek via email, she noted that people tend to react to posts and comments based on their temporary mood instead of their core values. She also pointed out that negative comments tend to gain more traction online.

“An individual would need a heightened level of self-awareness to override these mood and feedback drives.”

Arroll suggests following the STOP technique:

• S is for Stop: Pause for a moment and stop before you comment on a social media post.
• T is for Take a breath: Ground yourself by reconnecting your mind and body through a deep breath to anchor you in the moment.
• O is for Observe: Increase your awareness of what’s happening right now—how do you feel? What sensations, thoughts, and feelings are you experiencing?
• P is for Proceed: Make a mindful decision about whether to continue with the present action, such as commenting on a social media post or to let off steam and regulate your mood in a healthier way, like a short burst of exercise.