Bill Maher criticised supporters of Luigi Mangione during the opening monologue of HBO’s Real Time, after Mangione pleaded guilty to federal stalking charges connected to the 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson. Maher mocked people he called “Mangionistas” for questioning whether the plea amounted to an admission of guilt, despite Mangione acknowledging in court that he shot Thompson and knew his actions were illegal.

Mangione said he had endured severe pain from a broken back for years and used a 3-D printer to make the gun. His state murder trial over Thompson’s killing on 4 December 2024 is due to begin jury selection on 8 September; Maher also made jokes about a separate report concerning Donald Trump.