Elon Musk has reinstated Luigi Mangione’s X account despite the shooter suspect facing bans on other platforms.
The 26-year-old has been charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Mangione’s X account was suspended shortly after his arrest on Monday (December 9).
Advert
The suspension of Mangione’s YouTube account sparked a conversation on X, where one user wrote that Musk was ‘sticking by his word’ and ‘allowing the suspect’s X account to remain live’.
The user went on to say that by doing this, Musk was ‘providing unfiltered source material for insight by the masses’.
However, after the suspect’s X account was subsequently removed from the platform, the user posted another tweet that read: “I would like to recant my previous missive.”
Advert
Responding to this, Musk took to his own social media platform to address it, writing: “This happened without my knowledge. Looking into it.”
Within hours, the account was reinstated and has gained hundreds of thousands of followers.
However, Mangione’s other accounts, including his alleged YouTube channel, remain suspended.
Musk’s actions over the suspect’s account have received a mixed reaction, with some people backing the billionaire’s decision.
Advert
Many people shared their own thoughts about it on X, with one user writing: “Rare Elon W.”
Another said: “Did they scrub data to fit a narrative before reinstating it?”
Advert
And a third person wrote: “Interesting considering there’s an investigation underway.”
Mangione was arrested yesterday after being recognised in a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, by a fellow customer who alerted an employee to call 911.
Altoona Police Officer Tyler Frye said he and his partner recognized Mangione instantly after he pulled his mask down, adding: “We just didn’t think twice about it. We knew that was our guy.”
Upon arrest, he was found in possession of a firearm, multiple fake IDs, cash, his passport and a handwritten document that criticizes corporate America.
Advert
Mangione has been accused of fatally shooting the UnitedHealthcare CEO in Midtown Manhattan on December 4.
He is facing charges of second-degree murder, possession of a weapon and possession of forged documents.
Nino Mangione, who is a Republican state lawmaker and is also the suspect’s cousin provided a statement from his family which read: “Unfortunately, we cannot comment on news reports regarding Luigi Mangione. We only know what we have read in the media.
“We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.
“We are devastated by this news.”