Luigi Mangione merchandise gains popularity as sweater worn by murder suspect sells out

Racquel Bazos and Riley Gutiérrez McDermid, Baltimore Sun on Dec 26, 2024

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The make and brand of the sweater worn by murder suspect Luigi Mangione in court Monday, when he pleaded not guilty to federal charges, has sold out. Meanwhile, more merchandise centered on Mangione is appearing online, as he continues to draw support from fans worldwide.

Mangione has been arrested and charged with more than a dozen counts, including murder, in the Dec. 4 shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

The evolution of Mangione from unknown tech employee and former Gilman School valedictorian to a suspect in a high-profile murder, and even a hero to some because of his reported views on the polarizing American health system, has perplexed and confused many people — and becoming a fashion icon and the subject of merchandise from mugs to posters is one more sign of a large and diverse fan base.

While being arraigned on charges of murder in the furtherance of terrorism and other counts in New York, Mangione’s supporters took particular notice of the burgundy sweater he wore during his plea of not guilty on federal charges in Manhattan.

Later identified as a merino wool sweater from Nordstrom in the color Burgundy Royale, the sweater worn by Mangione has since sold out following his court appearance.

Eagle-eyed legal observers noted that Mangione’s attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, also wore a similar color and style in court, where she described Mangione as a “human ping pong ball,” but it wasn’t identical to her client’s.

Etsy sellers have also capitalized on Mangione’s notoriety, creating merchandise featuring his likeness on T-shirts, mugs and even flower pots, prompting the retailer to send some sellers featuring the murder suspect takedown notices.

In addition to his online supporters researching his outfit, Mangione was joined in court by about two dozen female fans, some of whom wore face masks and cried during his court appearance.

The outfits reminded some on social media of the one worn by Ken Bone, an undecided voter who became a minor internet phenomenon in 2016.

Nordstrom selling out of Mangione’s sweater is the latest example of his fanbase’s numbers. Tattoos, depictions of Mangione as a saint and a local banner reading “Deny Defend Depose,” the words allegedly on the bullets used to kill Thompson, show how divided the public has become over the 26-year-old Maryland native.

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