NYC issues press passes to Mangione supporters, sparking backlash over media access standards
New York City’s Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment issued press credentials to three self-identified supporters of Luigi Mangione—Abril Rios, Ashley Rojas, and Lena Weissbrot—amid his pending trial for the 2024 murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The women, who made inflammatory public statements celebrating the killing, were seen wearing official press badges granting access to restricted areas near court proceedings. The decision drew widespread criticism from politicians, journalists, and the public. Mayor Zohran Mamdani later acknowledged the credentials should not have been issued. The incident has reignited debate over the criteria for press credentialing in New York City, though sources differ on whether to emphasize systemic policy flaws or the immediate scandal of activist access.
Both sources agree on core facts but diverge significantly in framing and emphasis. New York Post provides a more institutional and policy-oriented analysis, while Fox News focuses on the sensational aspects and political fallout.
- ✓ Three individuals—Abril Rios, Ashley Rojas, and Lena Weissbrot—were issued press passes by New York City’s Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME).
- ✓ These individuals are self-proclaimed supporters of Luigi Mangione, who is awaiting trial for the 2024 murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
- ✓ The women, dubbed 'Mangionistas,' made inflammatory and celebratory remarks about the murder outside the Manhattan Criminal Courts Building.
- ✓ Their press credentials allowed access to areas typically reserved for journalists, such as press zones near court proceedings.
- ✓ The issuance of these credentials sparked public backlash and criticism from political figures, journalists, and social media users.
- ✓ Mayor Zohran Mamdani later stated that the three individuals should not have received press passes.
- ✓ The press passes are used to access restricted areas during official events, including police or fire lines and court proceedings.
Primary framing of the event
Frames the event as a scandal of activist infiltration and inappropriate access, emphasizing the offensive statements made by the women and the political implications for Mayor Mamdani.
Frames the event as a systemic failure in media credentialing policy, emphasizing bureaucratic and historical context. Focuses on how de Blasio-era reforms and vague MOME rules enabled the credentialing of non-journalists.
Historical and institutional context
Omits this historical context entirely, focusing instead on the immediate controversy and reactions.
Provides detailed background on the shift of press credential authority from NYPD to MOME after 2020 George Floyd protests, and cites specific legislative actions by Keith Powers and de Blasio.
Focus on political criticism
Emphasizes broader public and media backlash, including quotes from journalists Miranda Devine and Michele McPhee, and includes politically charged language like 'Mayor Marxist Mamdani.'
Highlights criticism from City Council members David Carr and Julie Menin, with Menin calling for reform of the credentialing process.
Use of direct quotes from the Mangionistas
Includes extensive and provocative direct quotes (e.g., 'F--- Brian Thompson,' 'blood money,' comparison of Thompson to Osama bin Laden), which are central to the narrative.
Mentions the women’s support for Mangione but does not include direct quotes from them.
Attribution of responsibility
Places direct responsibility on Mamdani’s administration, quoting him directly and highlighting his belated acknowledgment of error.
Suggests structural and policy-level failures under de Blasio and continued under Mamdani, implying systemic issues.
New York Post
Framing: New York Post frames the event as a consequence of flawed media credentialing policy, emphasizing bureaucratic history and structural vulnerability. It positions the issue as a failure of oversight stemming from post-2020 reforms.
Tone: Critical and analytical, with a focus on institutional accountability and policy failure. The tone is condemnatory toward both the individuals and the system that enabled their access.
Framing by Emphasis: New York Post attributes the credentialing failure to a 2021 bill under de Blasio and Keith Powers, framing the issue as a legacy policy problem.
"De Blasio backed a 2021 bill pushed by former city councilman... that gave the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment the duty of issuing press passes."
Loaded Language: Describes the Mangionistas as 'ghouls' and 'deranged homicide-fan girls,' using emotionally charged language to delegitimize them.
"They aren’t reporters — they’re ghouls."
Narrative Framing: Highlights structural changes post-2020 protests as context, suggesting systemic vulnerability in credentialing.
"The responsibility was stripped from the NYPD after 2020’s protests over the murder of George Floyd..."
Proper Attribution: Quotes City Council Speaker Julie Menin calling for reform, reinforcing the idea of institutional failure.
"called on City Hall to look into significantly reforming the media credentialing process."
Cherry-Picking: Implies that vague MOME rules enabled non-journalists to qualify, focusing on procedural flaws.
"The vague rules seemingly let posts by 'Mangionistas'... count toward press passes"
Fox News
Framing: Fox News frames the event as a scandal of activist overreach and inappropriate access, focusing on the offensive rhetoric of the Mangionistas and the political embarrassment for Mayor Mamdani. The narrative centers on the immediate controversy and public reaction.
Tone: Sensational and reactive, emphasizing outrage, offensive speech, and political implications. The tone is confrontational and leans into the controversy as a media spectacle.
Sensationalism: Opens with the visual of supporters wearing press badges while making 'brazen comments,' immediately centering on spectacle and controversy.
"Mangione supporters made brazen comments outside the Manhattan Criminal Courts Building while wearing 'press' badges..."
Appeal to Emotion: Includes direct, provocative quotes from Weissbrot and Rojas, emphasizing their extreme views.
"F--- Brian Thompson. F--- his mom."
Cherry-Picking: Quotes external critics using strong language like 'activist morons' and 'lunatic vile,' amplifying outrage.
"Why are activist morons impersonating reporters?"
Loaded Language: Labels Mayor Mamdani with the politically charged term 'Marxist,' introducing ideological framing.
"NYC’s Mayor Marxist Mamdani granted these lunatic vile ‘Mangionistas’ press passes"
Framing by Emphasis: Notes the women appeared on the Post's front page, reinforcing their notoriety.
"The ordeal landed the trio on the Post's front page."
Proper Attribution: Quotes Mamdani directly acknowledging error, placing responsibility on current administration.
"Mamdani told reporters on Tuesday that 'those three individuals should not have received press passes.'"
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