The phrase “deny, defend, depose,” found printed on shell casings at the scene of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s murder, has unexpectedly become a flashpoint, sparking the creation and subsequent removal of merchandise bearing the slogan, CNN reports.
The phrase, potentially referencing the 2010 book “Delay, Deny, Defend,” a critique of health insurance industry tactics, appeared on various items, including hats, T-shirts, and pint glasses, sold on Amazon. However, Amazon has removed the merchandise for violating its policies. The exact number of sales remains undisclosed.
The suspect in Thompson’s murder, Luigi Mangione, arrested Monday, has garnered online sympathy due to widespread frustration with the healthcare industry. A KFF survey revealed that a majority of insured US adults experienced at least one problem with their health insurance within a year, including claim denials.
While Amazon acted to remove the merchandise, similar items remain available on eBay. An eBay spokesperson clarified that while the phrase itself doesn’t violate their policies, items glorifying or inciting violence, particularly those celebrating Thompson’s murder, are prohibited.
Mangione’s arrest followed a tip from a McDonald’s employee in Altoona, Pennsylvania. This has led to an onslaught of negative reviews on the restaurant’s Google and Yelp pages, with reviewers labeling employees as “rats” and “snitches.” Google confirmed the removal of these reviews, citing policy violations, while Yelp disabled commenting on the restaurant’s page.
The killing has elicited a complex online reaction. A Facebook post by UnitedHealth Group expressing condolences for Thompson’s death received over 62,000 reactions, with a striking 57,000 being laughing emojis.
