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Days after the shocking fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan, a socialist fashion brand has ignited fresh controversy with a provocative new product. Comrade Workwear, founded by James Harr, has announced a set of “most wanted CEOs” playing cards, featuring names, photos, and scathing critiques of top executives across industries.
Harr’s move taps into a growing anti-corporate sentiment in the US, amplified by the rise of Luigi Mangione, Thompson’s alleged killer, who has been both vilified and celebrated online for his purported “anti-corporatist” motivations. The card deck, Harr explained on social media, aims to expose the executives profiting from what he described as the “daily violence” inflicted on the working class by corporate decision-making.
A political statement on a deck of cards
Inspired by the infamous “most-wanted Iraqi” playing cards distributed during the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, Harr’s deck divides CEOs into four suits, each representing a specific sector. Clubs include pharmaceutical executives, Hearts target leaders in real estate and retail, Diamonds highlight tech, finance, and media moguls, while Spades call out figures in oil and defense industries.
In an eyebrow-raising twist, each card features a QR code linking to information about what makes the CEOs “evil,” according to Harr’s TikTok posts. Pre-orders for the cards are set to go live within days, and Harr has even asked his followers to suggest additional names for the lineup.
Public reaction: Polarizing and viral
The playing cards have sparked a firestorm on social media. Some users are hailing the deck as a clever critique of corporate greed, while others have slammed it as dangerous and irresponsible. One commenter even asked if the cards would include the CEOs’ addresses, while others proposed creating a “good guy” deck celebrating individuals like Mangione.
Meanwhile, corporations are scrambling to mitigate the fallout. UnitedHealthcare and other major companies have reportedly begun erasing the names of their executives from websites amid growing security concerns. The aftermath of Thompson’s killing has already led to a surge in online threats, raising questions about the ethical boundaries of anti-corporate activism.
Harr’s defense: Call to action
Though Harr declined to speak with major outlets, he addressed the controversy in a video on Comrade Workwear’s social platforms. “The media wants us to condemn the assassination of a healthcare CEO, but they won’t acknowledge the daily violence the working class suffers,” he said.
Harr insisted that the cards are not an incitement to violence but a tool for awareness. “I’m not suggesting anyone should harm anyone, but people need to know who is making their lives harder. These cards are a way to bond over our shared struggles as workers and understand who profits from our suffering,” he added.
A dangerous trend?
Critics argue that Harr’s playing cards escalate an already volatile situation. The surge of “wanted” posters targeting CEOs, combined with the glamorization of Thompson’s killer, has raised fears of copycat incidents.
For now, the controversy continues to swirl, with Harr’s cards poised to become a flashpoint in America’s ongoing debate over corporate accountability and class struggle. Whether they’ll serve as a rallying cry for change or fuel an already divided public remains to be seen.
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