The internet has fallen in love with an assassin

The man who assassinated United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was already well on his way to folk hero status when the NYPD released the photo that launched a thousand “can I say something” tweets. Pulling down his mask at the request of a hostel receptionist, a man identified as the suspect flashes a dazzling, raffish grin. Along with the message he inscribed on the bullets (“delay”, “deny”, “depose”), this image was enough to crystallise the mythology already building around the assassin, placing him in a long lineage – both real and fictional – of sexy bad boys and flawed yet righteous vigilantes fighting for a just cause. Robin Hood. John Dillinger. Omar Little. Batman.

At this point, I have to state that it’s bad to murder people, and that it would be far better if the inequities of American healthcare were addressed through means other than random acts of violence. But the surge of public sympathy for the shooter tells us something which shouldn’t be ignored. While it’s hardly unique for a major news story to generate irreverent memes, and some of the thirsting over him has been tongue-in-cheek, the incident has also revealed a deep well of anger in the US. People aren’t joking when they share stories of being saddled with life-ruining debt, being forced to declare bankruptcy or losing their homes after they or loved ones were diagnosed with cancer.

From an outside perspective, the most striking thing about the US healthcare system is that it doesn’t seem to be working for anyone, except for the tiny minority who can afford to pay tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars out-of-pocket. Obviously, there are class inequalities in terms of coverage and those who are uninsured have it worst of all, but even people who do have insurance are dying of preventable illness, experiencing financial ruin and being forced to go through the most drawn-out, exhausting and humiliating bureaucratic processes imaginable.  

United Healthcare, where the victim worked, denies claims at a higher rate than any other company (according to the most recent data, it denied one-third of submitted claims), and it has faced criticism for using algorithms to streamline the process. This doesn’t justify his murder, but it’s hard to begrudge Americans for hating the people who have in many cases ruined their lives and been directly responsible for the deaths of their loved ones.

There is currently no political outlet in the US for this kind of anger, and nothing on the horizon to suggest that things might improve. While reproductive rights were a major theme at the presidential election, healthcare reform was barely mentioned. “Medicare for All” – a position which enjoys majority support among the US public and which Harris herself endorsed during her primary campaign in 2019 – was nowhere to be found on the Democratic platform. While Harris did propose some tinkering with the existing system, it was nothing that would come close to alleviating the kind of suffering which has led so many people to rejoice at a man being gunned down in the street.

You might find that reaction unpalatable, but the rage behind it can and should be harnessed towards more productive ends. That so many people despise the elites who are profiting from their misery is a good, healthy thing; it shows that the American public has yet to be beaten into submission. The rhetoric of unity and togetherness, of the kind favoured by Harris, only takes you so far when society is composed of such wildly competing interests: you need to tap into people’s anger and resentment, which in many cases is rooted in their circumstances and entirely justified. Donald Trump understands this, however fraudulent his anti-elitism may be, as did Bernie Sanders, who never shied away from attacking Wall Street executives. It’s hard to say whether left-wing populism is capable of beating right-wing populism, but after the resounding failure of centrist liberalism at the last election, it’s time to give it a try.