It's not just that many folks online appear to be on Luigi Mangione's side—it looks like his fellow inmates are, too.
A report by NewsNation from outside the Pennsylvania jail where Mangione is being held has gone viral after his fellow inmates decided to give an interview of sorts.
As NewsNation's Alex Caprariello was reporting live outside the jail, Mangione's fellow inmates began yelling out the windows to communicate with him and in-studio anchor Ashleigh Banfield while they watched the report from inside the jail.
As Caprariello spoke with Banfield, inmates suddenly yelled out the windows of State Correctional Institution Huntingdon that "Luigi's conditions suck!"
Those comments were soon followed by the catchphrase that has taken hold of the internet: "Free Luigi!"
Caprariello revealed that earlier in the day, the inmates had told him to:
"Tell Ashleigh Banfield that Luigi is watching at 10:00."
Caprariello then said that he assumed the comment was a joke of some kind, as Mangione is being held in his own cell away from other inmates. But Banfield was keen to conduct an interview of sorts with the inmates anyway. She said:
"Can I just ask the guys if they can hear me right now to answer yes or no very loud: Does Luigi have television in his single cell."
Sure enough, the inmates, who were clearly watching Banfield's show inside, called a "no!" out the windows. Banfield was bemused by the encounter.
"Wow, this is quite something. This is the strangest interview I've ever conducted."
Later, the inmates began flashing lights in their cells as a signal to Caprariello and Banfield. The inmates also had some bones to pick with the food they and Mangione are being served, yelling out the windows that the food is terrible when Banfield asked.
@jane.says_ This is sending me 🤣💀 can’t make this sh** up!! ( excuse the snort 🤭) #LuigiMangione #news #live #unitedhealthcare #crime #nyc #fyp @Ashleigh Banfield
On social media, people were just as mystified and tickled by the bizarre moment as Banfield and Caprariello were.
But others found the moment disturbing, given the nature of Mangione's alleged crime.
Well, 2024 sure isn't letting up.
