Overview
- Recent reporting published May 23 identified Lena Weissbrot as a supporter who publicly praised the December killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and linked her by public records to Reina Natero, a senior CVS Health executive.
- When contacted Weissbrot denied that Natero was her mother and described them as estranged, and Natero edited her LinkedIn profile the next day to remove her last name.
- Weissbrot and two other self‑described supporters obtained New York City press credentials to attend a pretrial hearing for accused killer Luigi Mangione, prompting questions about how the city vets applicants.
- The reporting highlights provocative online content by Weissbrot, including a music video with lyrics that celebrate violence and call for 'copycats,' which has intensified public concern over who is granted access to court proceedings.
- City officials ordered a review of press-pass rules after videos circulated and press-freedom groups have warned that revoking credentials over speech risks unlawful viewpoint discrimination, creating a legal tension between safety, access and corporate optics.