Luigi Mangione, a 27-year-old awaiting trial at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, has revealed his recent music choices in a letter to supporters. The correspondence, which surfaced on social media, highlights his newfound interest in songs by Taylor Swift and Charli XCX, as well as his unexpected shift to listening to rapper Lil Durk at the suggestion of a fellow inmate.
In a letter dated June 2024, Mangione expressed gratitude for various aspects of his life, including music. He noted that he had downloaded tracks from Swift and Charli XCX after seeing a “phony list” of his supposed favorite songs circulating online. This list reportedly included non-existent songs from these artists, which prompted him to explore their music. He wrote, “Rather than be a buzzkill and set the record straight, I figured I’d see what all the hype was about.”
During his time at MDC, Mangione listened to Swift’s “Cardigan” while walking laps in his unit. Unfortunately, he described how an inmate he calls “King” interrupted his listening session. “He scolds me for a while, then replaces all my music. Now I listen to Lil Durk,” Mangione noted. This shift highlights how communal dynamics influence entertainment choices among inmates.
Authenticating Mangione’s Correspondence
The authenticity of Mangione’s letter was confirmed by an individual who manages the Twitter account The Mangione Trial. They provided images of both the typed and handwritten portions of the letter, as well as the stamped envelope it arrived in. This letter was a response to one sent to Mangione on May 22, 2024, which was also documented on his website that tracks incoming mail.
In the letter, Mangione began with a list of things for which he was thankful, one of which was initially “Cardigan.” However, this was later crossed out, replaced by a song from Lil Durk titled “Dis Ain’t What You Want.” This change reflects not only his evolving music taste but also the influence of his surroundings within the correctional facility.
Background on Mangione’s Legal Situation
Luigi Mangione is currently facing serious legal challenges. He was arrested on December 9, 2024, at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania, just five days after the fatal shooting of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, outside a hotel in Manhattan. Following his arrest, he was extradited to New York City, where he has since been charged with four federal crimes by prosecutors from the Southern District of New York.
In the MDC, Mangione has gained a reputation as an “ambassador” for new inmates, helping them acclimate to life in the facility. He is scheduled to appear in court again on December 1, 2024, for a pretrial hearing in his New York state case.
As Mangione navigates this challenging period, his musical explorations serve as a small glimpse into his life behind bars, reflecting both his personal interests and the communal influences of prison life.
