In the wake of the shocking murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, business mogul Kevin O’Leary has issued a strong warning to corporate executives, urging them to reconsider how they engage with the public amid rising tensions over corporate practices.
The incident, which took place on December 4 outside a New York City hotel, has not only sent shockwaves through the business world but also sparked a surprising wave of public empathy for Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old charged with Thompson’s killing. Some individuals have voiced an understanding of the anger Mangione allegedly acted upon, tying it to frustrations with the healthcare industry.
On CNN Wednesday, O’Leary, known for his role on Shark Tank, challenged the typical corporate response of ramping up security in the aftermath of such incidents. Speaking with Wolf Blitzer, O’Leary argued that CEOs need to “read the room” instead of focusing solely on personal safety measures.
“Putting a fence around headquarters, hiring more security guards—that’s all bad imagery,” O’Leary stated. “They should be coming out now saying, ‘Look, we get it, we have families too, we’re people, we have children, we care about what you think about, and we’re going to automate this process and make it better.’”
A Symptom of Public Outrage
Mangione’s case has highlighted the growing resentment among some Americans toward corporations, particularly within the healthcare industry. Critics argue that issues such as profit-driven practices, denied claims, and delayed care have left many feeling powerless and enraged.
Chris Pierson, CEO of the security firm BlackCloak, described the murder as a wake-up call for corporate leaders, emphasizing the vulnerability of high-profile executives. “When people get angry at a company or industry, they tend to take it out on the most high-profile figure, which is usually the CEO,” Pierson told Newsweek.
However, O’Leary disagreed with Pierson’s suggestion that physical security should be the primary focus, instead advocating for CEOs to address the root causes of public dissatisfaction.
Public Sentiment
The case has sparked heated debate online, with many echoing O’Leary’s concerns. A Newsweek reader commented, “If CEOs would prioritize people and society over profits, this would never be a problem. Frankly, I have been surprised for decades that a lot more of this doesn’t go on.”
Another reader criticized the healthcare system directly, stating, “I wish that as much time and energy spent in catching this guy could be spent investigating how health insurers get away with ‘deny, delay, depose.’”
A Lesson for the Corporate World
While O’Leary’s advice may not align with the traditional corporate approach to crisis management, his comments reflect a broader trend: the public is demanding accountability and change. The growing unrest toward industries like healthcare is unlikely to subside without meaningful action.
For CEOs, the murder of Brian Thompson is a grim reminder of the stakes involved when public frustration reaches its boiling point. As O’Leary emphasized, the real solution lies in transparency, compassion, and a commitment to reform—not just in fortifying corporate defenses but in addressing the legitimate grievances of the people they serve.