Most Americans reject schadenfreude toward public figures, even if they dislike them, according to a new poll.
Most Americans disapprove of feeling happiness toward bad things happening to public figures, a new poll found, despite the indifference expressed by some on social media to the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Thompson was fatally shot in New York City just before 7 a.m. last Wednesday as he walked to a Hilton in Midtown to meet with investors. Police have charged 26-year-old Luigi Mangione in his death after arresting him in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on Monday.
While many said they were disturbed by the brutal shooting, others reacted with indifference, or in some cases schadenfreude. Some critics view the shooting as a possible breaking point in the anger many Americans feel toward the health care system due to negative experiences they’ve had with insurance companies. Many simply responded with memes, jokes or even support for Mangione after his arrest.
