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New York Times Podcast Calls Shoplifting 'Political Protest' and Defends the Killing of a CEO

Scott McClallen
Scott McClallen  |  April 22, 2026 8:30 PM

The New York Times says that shoplifting might be “an act of political protest.” 

The New York Times released a podcast episode on April 22, 2026, in which it justified stealing, defended the murder of a CEO, and showed that it has no understanding of economics. The podcast episode featured culture editor Nadja Spiegelman, Hasan Piker, and New Yorker writer Jia Tolentino. 

In that episode, Piker said, “I’m pro stealing from big corporations, because they steal quite a bit more from their own workers. However, one thing that might even help your ethical dilemma is the fact that the automated process that they design, these companies know will increase shrink, right?”

“So it’s actually factored in. The lemons that you stole are factored into the bottom line of these mega-corporations regardless. And they still end up having increased profit margins, because they no longer have to pay the cashiers that they used to hire, as opposed to this automated system, knowing full well that people are still going to be able to steal a lot more efficiently, as a matter of fact, through the automated process.” 

When Spiegelman asked Piker if stealing would raise prices, Piker responded: “Yeah, chaos. Full Chaos. Let’s go. I mean, look, I’m in favor of fast and free buses and also government-owned storefronts.”

But Piker said that he wouldn’t steal from a city-owned grocery store.  The podcast participants justified stealing from private companies that are worth a lot of money, not for an adrenaline rush, but to exact revenge on companies that serve customers well. 

Spiegelman said: “But what I’m seeing on TikTok and social media is people saying that they’re stealing from Whole Foods not just for the thrill of it, but out of a feeling of anger and moral justification. Because the rich don’t play by the rules, so why should I? And Jeff Bezos has too much money – he’s a billionaire – so why should I have to pay for organic avocados?”  

Spiegelman dubbed “shoplifting” as “microlooting.” 

Later, Piker claimed that many “understand" the alleged homicide of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson by Luigi Mangione. 


Piker claimed that Thompson “was engaging in a tremendous amount of social murder.” 

Piker compared the frustration and pain associated with the healthcare system to “torture,” which somehow justified killing a father.

"And yet, because of the pervasive pain that the private health care system had created for the average American, I saw so many people immediately understand why this death had taken place," Piker said. 

He said that many people have had poor experiences with hospitals, their billing system, or carry medical debt, which somehow justified killing a person. 

“That’s a harrowing process for a lot of people, and for them, that is murder; for them, that is torture," Piker said. "And that is the reason why, I think, the reaction to Luigi Mangione, especially by younger generations, was not so negative.” 


The sick idea that someone can somehow “fix” society by killing those who have found success in life is delusional. 

And it seems to be spreading. 

A man who allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail at the home of OpenAI Founder Sam Altman referenced Luigi Mangione as well.