Opinion

The Disturbing Rise of Criminal Idolatry in a Superficial Age

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The Disturbing Rise of Criminal Idolatry in a Superficial Age
A man takes a selfie in front of a mural of Luigi Mangione, who is charged with killing the CEO of UnitedHealthcare in 2024 in New York City, in the Bethnal Green area of London on March 4, 2025. Leon Neal/Getty Images
Theodore Dalrymple
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Commentary

A portrait of Luigi Mangione has been painted on a wall in London under a brick arch that might very well be interpreted as a halo. In December 2024, a graffito appeared in the same city demanding his release. Mangione seems to be in the process of joining George Floyd in some kind of radical Valhalla.

Theodore Dalrymple
Theodore Dalrymple
Author
Theodore Dalrymple is a retired doctor. He is contributing editor of the City Journal of New York and the author of 30 books, including “Life at the Bottom.” His latest book is “Embargo and Other Stories.”