The three words were reportedly etched on the shell casings found at the scene of the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week|DS Staff
Online marketplaces like Amazon, TikTok Shop, Etsy, eBay and more saw a deluge of merchandise with the words “Deny, Defend, Depose” written on it.
The three words were reportedly etched on the shell casings found at the scene of the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week.
The words depict a common insurance company tactic in denying customer claims.
Merchandise like mugs, caps, hoodies, and even holiday ornaments are available on marketplaces. According to TikTok sales data, one of the sweatshirts with the three words sold more than 1,000 times.
Since Thompson’s fatal shooting on December 4, public sentiment around the incident highlights people’s anger and frustration toward the health insurance industry.
The suspected shooter, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, has also been hailed as a hero by some. He is in federal custody and faces murder charges.
However, critics warn of the lack of empathy for Thompson.
Amazon removed items after deeming them “offensive,” while eBay permitted the products containing the phrase but banned items that “glorify or incite violence.”
eBay says that the platform prohibits selling items that celebrate violence, but products with the three-word phrase are not banned.
The trend underscores the intersection of public outrage and consumer culture.