Former Washington Post reporter Taylor Lorenz sparked backlash Sunday night following her appearance on CNN’s MisinfoNation, where she discussed the growing online fascination, particularly among women, with Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old charged with murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
A specific clip from the segment featured Lorenz appearing to describe Mangione as “morally good.”
“Here’s this man who’s a revolutionary, who’s famous, who’s handsome, who’s young, who’s smart, he’s a person who seems like he’s this morally good man, which is hard to find,” Lorenz said during the segment.
It quickly went viral across social media, prompting intense criticism. Lorenz, however, pushed back against that interpretation on Monday morning, claiming her words were taken out of context.
“When you read the full quote, you see that I’m actually saying his supporters view him as a ‘morally good man,’ not that I see him that way (we don’t actually know his motivations/morals bc he hasn’t spoken yet). You ppl are exhausting,” she wrote on both X and Bluesky.
When you read the full quote you see that I’m actually saying *his supporters* view him as a “morally good man”, not that I see him that way (we don’t actually know his motivations/morals bc he hasn’t spoken yet). You ppl are exhausting https://t.co/iV5vtBlZFN pic.twitter.com/aM8NHOqujX
— Taylor Lorenz (@TaylorLorenz) April 14, 2025
Despite the clarification, critics remained unsatisfied, as the full segment showed Lorenz laughing alongside CNN reporter Donie O’Sullivan about Mangione’s perceived attractiveness and cult-like online following.
In the segment, O’Sullivan responded to Lorenz’s comments jokingly, “Yeah, I just realized women will literally date an assassin before they swipe right on me. That’s where we’re at.”
The lighthearted tone of the segment drew swift condemnation from across the political spectrum.
Independent journalist @TaylorLorenz on what media is getting wrong about Luigi Mangione fans.
Tonight on MisinfoNation: Extreme American 8p ET and PT on @CNN https://t.co/gMKMhdRmnr pic.twitter.com/JZJAJSMcnh
— Donie O’Sullivan (@donie) April 13, 2025
Critics accused Lorenz and CNN of excusing violence and glorifying a murder suspect.
Many pointed to Lorenz’s prior comments as part of a pattern —such as a 2023 post where she responded to an insurance controversy by writing, “People wonder why we want these executives dead.”
Prominent figures weighed in on social media.
“This is beyond vile. Utterly heinous,” White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller added.
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“Disgusting,” actor Dean Cain said.
The backlash puts renewed scrutiny on Lorenz, who has been a lightning rod for controversy throughout her journalism career, and raises questions about CNN’s editorial judgment in airing the segment.
