Hannity Battles Taylor Lorenz on Praising Luigi Mangione: ‘You Are Advocating and Putting a Smiley Face on Assassination’

Hannity: “Taylor, that’s not the topic. We can talk about health care, I don’t like the health care system either, and a lot of people have experienced frustration like you are saying. That, to me, is separate and apart from the debate of praising, calling handsome, smart, intelligent and being joyful over the death and assassination of innocent people. And that’s what your comments did. Your comments basically put your seal of approval on murder and assassination. And I’m trying to understand, whether you like this guy or like the way he does business or not, you are advocating and putting a smiley face on assassination. I’m trying to understand what is in your soul that doesn’t understand he’s a father and a husband here. What are you missing? There seems to be a missing chip with you.”
LORENZ: “Sean, if you would like to hear it, I will need to talk in order to explain.”
Hannity: “I don’t want the rationalization. I want you to think about what you said. Explain what you said.”
LORENZ: “Again, I’m attempting to right now, so I’d ask you to please give the space and try to listen here. As I said once again, never did I say I felt joy that this man died. I said, again, that I felt joy that millions of Americans are — or millions of really wealthy Americans or privileged Americans are forced to wake up to the reality that nearly 70,000 Americans die each year due to lack of health insurance. I do feel joyful that that is an issue that’s being talked about.”
Hannity: “Okay, you’re back to the health care debate. Why would any human being with a conscience and soul be joyful over an assassination of any person? Why would anybody be joyful over that?”
LORENZ: “Well, actually, that’s a good question. Why don’t I explain?”
Hannity: “That’s a great question.”
LORENZ: “So, the other clip that you played is not me saying my own beliefs. I have quite different beliefs from that. What I’m describing, and if you watch the full segment, not just the clip, you will see that I’m describing the mentality of these fan girls that show up outside Luigi’s court and show up outside his jail cell. Those girls are not me, okay? We have very separate belief systems. But I was describing how they believe. And now let me explain to you why people in America feel this way. People in America feel this way and they feel outraged because, again, every penny of the $22 billion in profit made by UnitedHealth was made at the expense and suffering of others. That is violence. Our health care system is also violent. And that is a violence that people in the mainstream media such as yourself continue to refuse to acknowledge. So if you’re going to talk about death and violence, it’s crucial to talk about the death and violence of our health care system.”
Hannity: “Taylor, there’s a better way than saying that Luigi Mangione is a revolutionary who is famous, handsome, young, smart — “
LORENZ: “That is what those people believe. That is what those people believe.”
Hannity: “ — and seems like he’s a morally good man. If you want to have legitimate criticism, you could write an intelligent piece saying, ‘Here’s what’s wrong with America’s health care system.’ Like, for example, I want health care savings accounts. I would like to see more of the use of telemedicine. I believe in health care cooperatives, I know one that works, Josh Umbehr, Atlas MD, average person, 24-hour concierge care, 50 bucks a month. There are better ways to do it. That’s a legitimate debate, but that’s not how you are saying it. You are saying it in ways that are sympathetic to the people that are taking action. ‘Handsome, good-looking, this is why people are happy and joyful.’”
LORENZ: “I’m describing the belief system of his supporters. I’m describing the belief system of his supporters, Sean.”
Hannity: “Why don’t you condemn them? Will you say that anyone that praises this guy is lacking a soul, a conscience and a heart, do you agree with that statement?”
LORENZ: “Well, what I will say, Sean, once again, is that I believe in free speech.”
Hannity: “I just asked you a straight, direct question: Will you say that anyone that’s praising this guy doesn’t have a soul, a conscience and a heart?”
LORENZ: “I don’t believe in things like — you know, religious things like souls and all these things.”
Hannity: “I’m not asking you about religious. If you can’t have sympathy for a dead father and husband, do you lack a conscience, a soul and a heart? That’s a simple question. You are a smart woman.”
LORENZ: “Well, let me respond to you, Sean. I believe that every one of the 70,000 Americans that die each year because of lack of health insurance also has a heart.”
Hannity: “You’re back to health care and not answering my question. I’ve done this 29 years, Taylor. Answer the question. If you think it’s okay and you celebrate assassination, are you lacking a conscience, a soul and a heart?”
LORENZ: “I think, once again, you are conflating me explaining the ideology of the women that show up outside — “
Hannity: “I’m not conflating it. You are trying to rationalize them. If you support assassination — Taylor, answer the question. If you support assassination of innocent people, are you lacking a conscience, a soul and a heart? Simple question. Go.”
LORENZ: “I believe that the assassination of innocent people, if we want to talk about the assassination of innocent people, I believe that the tens of thousands of Americans that die each year because of the lack of health insurance, that is, to me, violence in itself. That is assassination. These health insurance — “
Hannity: “I’m willing to have that discussion with you, but we can’t have that discussion until you say — “
LORENZ: “Well, you can’t have a discussion when you’re not willing to hear, Sean, what my beliefs are, and you continue to — “
Hannity: “For example, will you condemn the people that tried to assassinate Donald Trump, or would it be a good thing in your mind?”