Quoth the Raven
· QTR’s Fringe Finance
· May 19, 2026 at 14:42
· ⏱ 6 min read
| Read on Substack ↗
Summary
The article argues that American political culture is increasingly demonizing successful people—executives, entrepreneurs, and the wealthy—treating their achievement as evidence of moral guilt, which culminates in celebrating violence like the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. This is a cultural/political commentary with no direct market implications.
•NY Post reported that self-described 'Mangionistas' with press passes openly mocked the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, including saying his children were 'better off without him.'
•One activist compared the killing to the death of Osama bin Laden, and another fantasized about politicians 'hanging in the town square.'
•The author cites Zohran Mamdani’s recent attempt to publicly shame billionaire hedge fund manager Ken Griffin as an example of success being treated as moral guilt.
•The article notes that social media algorithms reward outrage, turning envy into entertainment and dehumanizing successful people.
•The author admits having met multiple billionaires, finding most 'boring and self-absorbed,' but underscores the moral difference between criticizing power and celebrating murder.