A man from Broward County, Florida, has sparked a viral sensation after getting a tattoo of Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old prime suspect in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The tattoo, a photorealistic portrait of Mangione, has stirred both controversy and fascination on social media, as the internet continues to “worship” the alleged killer.
Levi Jones, a 33-year-old business owner, spent eight hours getting the detailed black-and-white tattoo, which depicts Mangione smiling with the words “Deny,” “Defend,” and “Depose” tattooed on his face. The design also features a teardrop tattoo under Mangione’s left eye, a symbol often associated with gang culture, traditionally signifying that the person has committed murder.
The tattoo was completed by 27-year-old artist Anthony Medina of Sacred Eye Tattoos in Hollywood, Florida. Since its completion, the tattoo video has gone viral, amassing over one million views on Instagram. Although the video gained traction on TikTok, it was removed shortly after becoming popular.
Jones, who is no stranger to social media stunts, previously attempted to create a viral moment with a controversial “suggestive face tattoo,” but it did not garner the same attention. However, with the Mangione tattoo, Jones is hopeful the video will reach even greater popularity. “I definitely think it’s going to go viral, hopefully five to 10 million views,” Jones said. “I wanted something intense and extreme that would make people question, ‘What the hell are these guys doing?'”
While Jones acknowledged the extreme nature of the tattoo, he emphasized that he does not condone murder. “I don’t support murder, that’s for sure. I understand the frustration. I love the kind of vigilante aspect behind it,” he said. “But I’m neutral on it. I don’t know enough to say if I’m with or against him.”
Jones also pointed out that his background in the medical field has made him critical of the healthcare industry, which he describes as “corrupt.” He sees the attention surrounding Mangione as a catalyst for conversations about the flaws within healthcare and insurance. “I know firsthand how corrupt it is, how people care more about money than patients. At the end of the day, people are paychecks… I do like the fact that people are waking up and seeing this,” he said.
Medina, the tattoo artist, shares Jones’s neutral stance on the matter, acknowledging that while the tattoo has garnered significant attention, it also highlights broader societal issues. “It’s definitely sparked a conversation,” Medina said.
As Mangione’s case continues to unfold, his image has become a focal point for internet memes, art, and now, tattoos, reflecting a broader cultural phenomenon that blurs the line between criminal notoriety and viral fame.
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