The first people in line on Tuesday, I was told, started camping out on the sidewalk two days ago. Luigi Mangione, the man accused of gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024, was due in court at 9AM ET for a hearing in one of three concurrent criminal cases against him. And this time everyone was prepared for the mayhem: the signs, the fans, the livestreamers, the protests, the media circus. That’s why the line started even earlier than last time — the people who really wanted to get in to see him knew that no time was too early.
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Can Luigi Mangione get too big to jail?
Mangione is both ubiquitous and fleeting. The last time the public saw him (aside from a bizarre, unauthorized appearance in a men’s shirt listing on Shein) was in February at this same courthouse in Manhattan, when hundreds of members of the general public and media convened for a routine pretrial hearing. He exists in memes, in passing references, and in content moderation decisions, and he lives rent-free in the mind of Donald Trump — yet most people are likely not thinking or talking about Mangione day to day. They are reminded of him when new photos drop or when there are incremental updates in the cases against him. But the wall-to-wall coverage of the case has waned, and it’s the people who are the most tapped in that are working to keep interest in the case alive. Mangione and the larger discussions around healthcare reform are one item in a list of approximately 8,000 pressing topics swirling in the US. How do you keep attention and energy alive in an information ecosystem defined by its fragmentation?
Court officials and police seem to have learned their lesson from February: don’t let a million people inside
The hearing on Tuesday was much more eventful than the one in February: Mangione’s team successfully got two terrorism-related charges tossed in the New York case, a development that supporters of his are celebrating. Given the magnitude of the news, the tempered atmosphere — and the smaller crowds — was noticeable.
Court officials and police seem to have learned their lesson from February: don’t let a million people inside. Instead of admitting members of the public to a hallway outside the courtroom where they could set up camp, the court kept most on the sidewalk.
There are fewer people here than in February, but in some ways the supporters and frenzy are even more fervent. Mason Alexander, who told The Verge he’d been one of the few to make it inside the courtroom for the first hearing, arrived at 11PM the night before and was 25th in line, meaning he wouldn’t get a spot the second time. Some in line have numbers written on the backs of their hands, which I later am told are not part of any official numbering system from the courthouse but were the work of an attendee walking around with a marker, trying to bring order to the line.
“The case just resonated with me,” Alexander says, explaining why he showed up. “Obviously what he allegedly did isn’t something to be cheered about, but I think it was beneficial in the way that it put a spotlight on [the healthcare system issue] that I think is probably the most important in the country, and how much it affects everyday people. It got people talking.”
People Over Profit NYC, a grassroots healthcare reform group with a focus on Mangione’s case, again organized a rally outside. A giant homemade spinning wheel has slots reading “APPROVED” and “DENIED” — spin the wheel to learn the fate of your insurance claim. There are Luigi hats, keychains, DIY T-shirts, flyers about local healthcare legislation. When I arrive shortly after 8AM, reporters and news crews outnumber rally attendees — there are fewer people here, too, than six months ago.
A POPNYC rally attendee who asked to remain anonymous, citing the current political climate, says “protest fatigue” could be a reason attendance dipped (the early morning timeslot also may have contributed).
“I think people are just tired, and they just want to either ignore what’s going on or just give up,” the attendee says. “That’s why we’re out here, to let them know we’re still here. Even if you’re tired, we’ll still go on. And maybe they’ll join us next time.”
There’s also the unavoidable reality that the hearing is happening a week after right-wing provocateur Charlie Kirk was killed at a public event in Utah. Though the two cases are not obviously connected, there’s been a swift and brutal crackdown from the American right wing, directed at anyone who is deemed to be “celebrating” Kirk’s murder. Private and in some cases innocuous social media posts are being used to report people to employers or dox them. It’s not surprising that Mangione supporters may be reluctant to be photographed at a rally for him.
It’s hard enough to keep major events and causes in the news, but Mangione’s case has unique, complicating factors. The central character — who many see as sympathetic — is accused of stalking and shooting Thompson point-blank (Mangione has pleaded not guilty). UnitedHealth Group has waged an all-out attack on critics, targeting filmmakers, social media users, and news outlets. Tech companies are working to moderate Mangione-related content, though some supporters complain that their content and accounts are being taken down without explanation. There is also the general specter of violence that clouds current US political discourse. It’s never a good time to be an alleged assassin, but especially not now.
Part of what makes the Brian Thompson murder case so strange is the way most people consume and follow it: through the hundreds of photos and videos of Mangione looking “hot.” Mangione’s overlapping and high-stakes legal battle is relayed to the public via new photos of him; it obfuscates both the seriousness of the crime and charges, as well as the punishment he faces if convicted. There is a clear tonal disconnect in coverage of the case: the Daily Mail is both running stories about the “sick” fans that support him and posting 29-photo slideshows to TikTok that are a collection of Mangione’s face from every possible angle.
On Tuesday, Mangione wore a khaki prison outfit instead of street clothes. He was once again shackled at the ankles, wrists, and waist — something his attorneys have complained about. As we waited for him to enter, another reporter remarked that it felt a bit like a wedding: the press and two dozen or so members of the public kept glancing back at the slightest of noises, like we were waiting for a bride to walk down the aisle. A supporter who managed to get into the courtroom, who asked to be named as SAS, later told me she could hear his shackles before she saw him. Some online commenters described him as looking “pale,” “skinny,” and like he had been “crying a lot.” (I’m not really seeing this, personally.) After both hearings, there’s been a lot of reading into Mangione’s demeanor — but the truth is that the court dates have been exceedingly normal and professional. There is no deeper personality or psychology to be gleaned from being inside a room with him for 20 minutes.
The most significant development from Tuesday’s hearing brought good news for Mangione: Judge Gregory Carro, who is overseeing the New York state case against Mangione, dropped two major terrorism-related charges in what is seen as a major win for the defense. The state argued that Thompson’s murder was meant to “intimidate or coerce a civilian population,” but Carro found the claims to be “legally insufficient.” Carro says in essence that under New York law, the alleged “ideological” motive doesn’t fit the definition of terrorism.
As Carro announced that he was dropping the terrorism charges, a few supporters in the courtroom audibly reacted
“The court agrees with the defendant that the [state] appear[s] to conflate an ideological belief with the intent to intimidate or coerce a civilian population,” Carro writes. “While the defendant was clearly expressing an animus toward UHC, and the health care industry generally, it does not follow that his goal was to ‘intimidate and coerce a civilian population,’ and indeed, there was no evidence presented of such a goal.” Mangione still faces charges of second-degree murder in the New York state case.
As Carro announced that he was dropping the terrorism charges, a few supporters in the courtroom audibly reacted — a faint exclamation, maybe even a gentle clap, that drew a scolding from a guard.
On other motions, Mangione’s defense was less successful. Mangione is facing three concurrent cases: the one in New York, a separate state case in Pennsylvania, and a federal case. Mangione’s defense team has argued that the state and federal cases happening at the same time amounts to double jeopardy: the US Constitution bars defendants from being prosecuted for the same crime twice. Carro rejected the double jeopardy argument. Mangione’s lawyers have also argued that the federal case against him — which carries the possibility of the death penalty — should proceed before the state case. On Tuesday, Carro denied Mangione’s request to put the state case on hold. The next hearing in the state case is scheduled for December 1st. Mangione is due in court for the federal case a few days later.
Luigi Mangione’s fate and his public persona are inextricably linked. Widespread and sustained attention on his case depends on how often he can get in front of people through their digital feeds. The windows of opportunity to grab attention and deeper public engagement are limited because he is making public court appearances only once every several months. The public spectacle of the case is ever-present: Mangione’s attorneys have written at length objecting to him being shackled during court appearances that are then photographed and shared, saying they are “deeply prejudicial” and damaging to his right to a fair trial.
One avenue Mangione supporters have been pursuing is around jury nullification, when a jury acquits even if it believes a defendant committed a crime (in February, a truck with an LED billboard on the side showing jury nullification information circled the courthouse during the hearing). But even that relies on a massive public outreach campaign in an era of short attention spans and a fractured media ecosystem.
As I wrote in February, a cycle is beginning to take shape: One day Mangione is all we see on social media. The next he is gone. Rinse and repeat. While I was in court with my phone tucked away, friends texted me about new Luigi photos, just as they did six months ago. Is becoming a meme — no matter how beloved or reviled — enough to have your life spared? The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the culture couldn’t be more fickle.
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Samsung’s latest SmartThings update adds support for Siri Shortcuts. In a press release, Samsung announced that you can now use Siri to run SmartThings routines, allowing you to use Apple’s voice assistant to control your smart home.
Siri Shortcuts is a feature in iOS that lets you run automations by asking Siri. These can either be created by the user in the Shortcuts app or by the manufacturers in their app.
This update should make it easier to control your SmartThings home using your iPhone, HomePod, or other Apple device. For example, you can now call on Siri to trigger your “Good morning” routine through SmartThings that automatically adjusts the lights, turns on your coffee maker, and opens your blinds when you wake up.
Samsung is also enhancing its SmartThings app for Apple devices. On the Apple Watch, you can now see a full list of your devices, send commands, and carry out routines, while the SmartThings app for iOS gives you the ability to view and control up to five of your most recently used devices from your lock screen with Live Activities.
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When something goes wrong with your bank account or delivery, your first instinct might be to type the company name into Google and call the first customer service number you see. But that simple search has become one of the biggest traps for scammers, and it’s costing people money, privacy and even control over their phones.
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A simple Google search for a company’s customer service number can lead straight to a scam. The first result isn’t always the safest one. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
He Googled his bank’s number and lost control of his phone
Here’s how one man’s quick search for help turned into a nightmare he never expected. Gabriel wrote to us in distress, asking,
“I called my bank to check on some charges I didn’t authorize. I called the number on the bank statement, but they told me to go online. I googled the company and dialed the first number that popped up. Some foreign guy got on the phone, and I explained about the charges. Somehow, he took control of my phone, where I didn’t have any control. I tried to shut it down and hang up, but I couldn’t. He ended up sending an explicit text message to my 16-year-old daughter. How do I prove I didn’t send that message? Please help.”
Gabriel’s story is frightening, and unfortunately, it’s not rare. This type of attack is called a remote access support scam. Scammers pretend to be bank or tech support, then trick you into installing a program that gives them control of your device. Once inside, they can steal passwords, send messages or lock you out completely.
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Gabriel thought he was calling his bank, but the number was fake. Within minutes, a scammer took control of his phone and invaded his privacy. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Why this scam works
Search engines reward paid ads. Scammers take advantage of this by buying ad space to appear above legitimate customer service numbers. The fake pages look professional, complete with company logos and 800 numbers that seem real.
Once you call, the fake “agent” sounds knowledgeable and polite. They build trust, then convince you to install remote access software such as AnyDesk or TeamViewer. From that point, they can control everything on your phone.
What to do if this happens to you
Gabriel, what you went through is incredibly upsetting, and you’re right to take it seriously. Here’s what to do right away:
1) Disconnect and secure your phone
Turn off your phone immediately. Restart it in Airplane Mode and don’t connect to Wi-Fi yet. Run a full antivirus scan with strong antivirus software.
2) Change all your passwords
Use a secure device that has not been compromised to reset the passwords for your key accounts, including email, cloud storage, phone carrier and banking logins. Create strong, unique passwords for each account and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for added protection on all your devices and platforms.
Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our #1 password manager (see Cyberguy.com) pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials.
Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 at Cyberguy.com
3) Contact your carrier and your bank
Let your phone provider know that your device was taken over. Ask them to check for unauthorized remote management apps or SIM-swap activity. Notify your bank’s fraud department and report the fake number you found on Google.
4) Report the explicit message
Take screenshots and save everything. Contact local police and explain that the message was sent from your number while your phone was under remote control. If a minor is involved, the case may be referred to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov).
5) Factory reset your phone
Once your data is backed up, perform a factory reset on your iPhone or Android to remove any hidden software. Reinstall only apps you recognize from the official app store.
HOW TO STOP IMPOSTOR BANK SCAMS BEFORE THEY DRAIN YOUR WALLET
Scammers use fake customer service numbers to sound convincing and gain remote access to your devices, turning a simple call for help into a digital takeover. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Tips to stay safe from fake customer service scams
Falling for a fake customer service number can happen to anyone, especially when you’re in a rush or worried about your account. Here’s how to make sure you never get tricked by the same kind of scam that hijacked Gabriel’s phone.
Go directly to the company’s official website
Always type the company’s web address yourself or use the contact number printed on your card or statement. Scammers often create fake numbers that appear in search results, hoping you’ll call them instead of your real bank.
Don’t trust the first search result on Google
Search engines sell ad space to anyone, including criminals posing as real businesses. Those top “sponsored” listings can lead straight to scammers. Instead, scroll down until you find the official domain ending in .com, .org or .gov.
Never allow remote access to your phone or computer
No legitimate company needs to control your device to verify charges or fix an account issue. If someone asks you to install software like AnyDesk or TeamViewer, hang up immediately. These tools give strangers complete control of your screen and data.
Hang up if the caller pressures you to act fast
Scammers rely on panic. When someone insists you act “right now” or risk losing money, that’s a warning sign. Stay calm, hang up, and verify the problem through your bank’s official website or number.
Use strong antivirus protection
Install and regularly update a trusted antivirus app. Strong antivirus software can block remote-access tools and spyware before scammers gain access. Regular scans also detect hidden threats that may already be on your phone or computer.
The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.
Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com
Consider using a data removal service
Many scammers find victims through data brokers that sell phone numbers and personal details. A data removal service helps erase your information from these sites. As a result, it’s harder for criminals to target you with fake customer service scams in the first place.
While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.
Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com
Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com
Monitor your identity with a trusted protection service
Even a short breach can expose your private information. Identity-monitoring tools alert you when your name, email or Social Security number appears on the dark web. That gives you time to act before scammers can use it.
Identity Theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security Number (SSN), phone number, and email address, and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.
See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft at Cyberguy.com
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Kurt’s key takeaways
The internet has made getting help easier than ever, but it has also made it easier for scammers to pretend to be helpful. The top way people are being scammed today isn’t through phishing emails or suspicious links; it’s by trusting fake phone numbers that look official. Take a few minutes to save the real customer service numbers for your bank, phone provider, and credit card company. One quick call to the wrong number could give a stranger access to your entire digital life.
With fake customer service numbers flooding search results, should Google be held responsible for protecting you from these scams? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
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The second launch of Blue Origin’s partially reusable New Glenn rocket was scrubbed on Sunday due to adverse weather conditions, delaying NASA’s latest Mars mission. The Jeff Bezos-owned commercial space company announced that its next launch window from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida will be attempted “no earlier” than Wednesday, November 12th, between 2:50PM and 4:17PM ET.
This is a significant launch for the 320-foot-tall megarocket, which is tasked with sending NASA’s twin ESCAPADE (Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers) probes into space — the first Mars-bound mission since NASA launched its Perseverance and Ingenuity vehicles in 2020 to explore the red planet’s surface. The ESCAPADE satellites are projected to reach Mars orbit in 2027, where they will measure the planet’s magnetic field and atmosphere.
This will also be Blue Origin’s latest attempt to land New Glenn’s reusable first-stage booster, which, much like SpaceX’s Falcon rocket boosters, is designed to vertically touch down on a sea-based platform following launch. While Blue Origin successfully launched New Glenn for the first time in January after several delays, the booster was lost during its landing descent. A successful launch and landing would help Blue Origin to prove itself as a deep-space launch provider that’s capable of competing with established rivals like SpaceX and United Launch Alliance.
Blue Origin says it worked with the Federal Aviation Administration to select its latest launch window, having seemingly been given an exemption to new FAA rules that prohibit commercial rockets from being launched between 6AM and 10PM. This emergency order came into effect on November 10th to alleviate air traffic congestion during the ongoing government shutdown. If all goes to plan, the live webcast for New Glenn’s second flight will start 20 minutes prior to launch on Wednesday.
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