Taylor Lorenz is at it again, and this time, her knack for controversy has hit a disturbing new low. The former Washington Post reporter, known for her melodramatic takes and online scuffles, has stirred outrage after appearing to celebrate the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Yes, celebrate. In a move that would make even the most hardened Twitter trolls blush, Lorenz took to Bluesky to share her thoughts on Thompson’s killing, writing, “And people wonder why we want these executives dead.” Classy.
Let’s unpack this. A chilling video surfaced Wednesday showing Thompson being gunned down outside a Manhattan hotel. Hours later, Lorenz—who left mainstream journalism to start a Substack where she can amplify her hot takes without editorial oversight—thought it was a good idea to add gasoline to the fire.
Her post didn’t just reflect on the tragedy; it practically cheered it on, complete with a meme featuring balloons and the text “CEO DOWN.” If you’re looking for the line between provocative commentary and outright ghoulishness, Lorenz erased it with a neon highlighter.
Taylor Lorenz is still celebrating the m*rder of UnitedHealthcare CEO.
He has a wife who lost her husband. He has children who just lost their father.
This is straight up evil and unhinged. pic.twitter.com/o9QfyjJ1Px
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) December 5, 2024
Predictably, the backlash was swift, and rightly so. But instead of offering an apology or reconsidering her words, Lorenz doubled down. In a lengthy Substack post titled, “Why ‘we’ want insurance executives dead,” she tried to clarify her comments, which somehow managed to make things worse. Her defense? She was merely voicing public sentiment, not advocating violence herself. Sure, Taylor, because when you post memes celebrating a man’s murder and share calls to target other CEOs, it’s purely academic.
In her post, Lorenz went on to justify the “hatred” people feel toward health insurance executives, pointing to the flaws in America’s healthcare system. To be fair, no one’s arguing that our system is perfect. But using that as a pretext to excuse violent rhetoric—or worse, appearing to condone actual violence—is not just irresponsible; it’s dangerous. Lorenz might claim she doesn’t want more executives targeted, but her words and actions tell a different story.
Taylor Lorenz is celebrating the murder of Brian Thompson. She is seriously the most despicable human being. pic.twitter.com/BTKBttLtY2
— Dustin Grage (@GrageDustin) December 5, 2024
The problem isn’t just Lorenz’s inflammatory rhetoric; it’s the broader normalization of this kind of behavior among the far-left. When people like Lorenz equate corporate mismanagement (however egregious) to mass murder, it trivializes real atrocities and undermines legitimate arguments for reform. Instead of sparking productive conversations about fixing healthcare, this kind of rhetoric polarizes the debate and alienates potential allies.
Lorenz’s penchant for theatrics is nothing new. Whether it’s her extreme COVID takes—remember when she said unmasked people were “raw-dogging the air”?—or her tendency to play the victim in online spats, she’s built a brand on being perpetually outraged. But celebrating a murder? That’s a bridge too far, even for her.
Let’s be clear: Brian Thompson didn’t deserve to die, and no amount of corporate criticism justifies cheering on his assassination. Lorenz’s comments don’t just reflect poorly on her; they’re a symptom of a toxic online culture where hyperbole and outrage reign supreme. If this is what she thinks passes for journalism or activism, she might want to reconsider her career path.
Just a reminder that Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealth who was just shot and killed in NY, was a human being with a family. So many of the comments on his murder are despicable. https://t.co/4N07jGhNQf
— Julie Nelson (@JulieNelsonKARE) December 4, 2024
In the meantime, let’s hope cooler heads prevail. Real reform—whether in healthcare or elsewhere—requires thoughtful dialogue, not violent rhetoric. If Lorenz is serious about change, she should start by looking in the mirror and rethinking her approach. But based on her track record, don’t hold your breath.
