Former New York Times journalist Taylor Lorenz defends her celebration of UnitedHealthcare CEO's assassination, says 'it's natural'

Taylor Lorenz, Former journalist of Washington Post and New York Times defended her celebration of the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in a column Thursday, calling her reaction "natural." She shared celebratory graphics, as well as the name and headshot of the CEO of a rival company.

After providing examples of some of the other users who cheered Thompson's death, the former journalist mentioned just one of her many enthusiastic posts, saying,

Naturally, the mainstream media began clutching pearls in outrage. When I posted a quote tweet about insurance companies no longer paying for certain anesthesia, "and people wonder why we want these executives dead."

I want to be very clear: My post used the collective "we" and was paraphrasing public sentiment. This is not me personally saying "I want these executives dead and therefore we should kill them." What I'm explaining is that thousands of Americans are fed up with our barbaric healthcare system and the people at the top who make millions while causing pain, suffering, and death to millions of innocent people.

If you've watched a loved one die because an insurance group denied them lifesaving treatment as a cost-cutting measure, then yes, it's only natural that the people who run such groups should suffer the same fate. Taylor wrote, ignoring her earlier open support of the violence committed against Thompson.

"People have a very justified hatred for insurance company CEOs because these executives are responsible for immeasurable death and suffering. I think it's good to give voice to this broken system and the people in power who enable it. Again, not so they can be murdered, but so we can change the system and begin to hold those in power accountable for their actions." 

Journalist Taylor Lorenz has gone viral for her reaction to the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. @TaylorLorenz came on TMZ Live to clarify her comments, but admits she isn't sorry about them. pic.twitter.com/IY07qY4fVv

— TMZ Live (@TMZLive) December 5, 2024

After recounting his grievances with the industry, Lorenz submitted that "instead of issuing clichés about civility and scolding social media users for being passionate about an issue that materially affects their lives, Democrats could recognize the broad public sentiment about privatized healthcare and push for more progressive policies like universal coverage."

"Meanwhile," he concluded, "as journalist Malcolm Harris said, saying 'every life is precious' about a healthcare CEO whose company is known for denying coverage is pretty silly."

Soon after Thompson was shot and killed in the middle of Manhattan on Wednesday, Lorenz expressed his frustration with the health insurance industry, saying, "And people wonder why we want these executives dead." He shared celebratory graphics, which he said were being "spammed" into his group chat, as well as the name and headshot of the chief executive of a rival company.