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A University of Pennsylvania professor sparked controversy after praising the alleged killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on social media. Julia Alekseyeva, who identifies as a socialist, posted content celebrating Luigi Mangione, a university graduate accused of Thompson’s murder outside Manhattan’s Hilton Hotel.
The New York Post reported that Alekseyeva, an Assistant Professor of English and Cinema and Media Studies, shared a TikTok video featuring herself smiling to “Do You Hear the People Sing?” from Les Misérables. She expressed pride in her university affiliation and described Mangione as “the icon we all need and deserve” on her Instagram account.
BREAKING: UPenn has announced that a retraction from Professor Julia Alekseyeva who celebrated the alleged UHC CEO assassin calling him an “icon,” is sufficient and she will not be fired.
This is absolutely ridiculous. Her teaching students is how we get to a Luigi Mangione. pic.twitter.com/qJFDc4il6Y
— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) December 11, 2024
The blue-haired professor’s posts drew immediate backlash from students and critics, leading her to set her Instagram profile, where she calls herself “The Soviette,” to private. Alekseyeva subsequently apologized on X, stating, “Late last night I posted a TikTok, as well as several stories on my Instagram. These were completely insensitive and inappropriate, and I retract them wholly. I do not condone violence and I am genuinely regretful of any harm the posts have caused.”
Professor Julia Alekseyeva, a professor at @PennEnglish @Penn appears to celebrate the alleged UHC CEO ass*ssin and the fact that he went to University of Pennsylvania and calls him an “icon” pic.twitter.com/1YYGam7h8D
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) December 10, 2024
The university’s Deputy Dean Jeffrey Kallberg responded with a statement: “Much concern was raised by recent social media posts attributed to Assistant Professor Julia Alekseyeva. Her comments regarding the shooting of Brian Thompson in New York City were antithetical to the values of both the School of Arts and Sciences and the University of Pennsylvania, and they were not condoned by the School or the University. Upon reflection, Assistant Professor Alekseyeva has concurred that the comments were insensitive and inappropriate and has retracted them. We welcome this correction and regret any dismay or concern this may have caused.”
In related developments, platforms including GoFundMe and Etsy have begun shutting down efforts to raise funds for Mangione’s legal defense.
