Martin Shkreli, the infamous “Pharma Bro” who became the most hated man in America after his company acquired the license for a critical AIDS medication and raised the price more than 5,000%, is getting an object lesson in the meaning of “schadenfreude” after being convicted Friday morning of securities fraud. And Twitter is popping champagne.
Shkreli was widely disliked not only for his cruel and greedy exploitation of the chronically ill, but for his behavior in the months after he became a household name. For instance, his spending millions to buy the only copy of “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin,” a very limited edition Wu-Tang Clan Album that he then threatened to delete if Trump lost the 2016 election. At every turn, even as his federal court case proceeded, Shkreli’s public persona was one of carefully crafted smug satisfaction.
So it is that the reaction to Shkreli’s conviction is also defined by smug satisfaction. Read on for a sampling (and feel free to rejoice along with them).
BREAKING: Martin Shkreli, man who coldly jacked up the price of AIDS drug, CONVICTED of securities fraud. @WPLGLocal10 pic.twitter.com/AAXgBWMihu
— Ross Palombo (@RossPalombo) August 4, 2017
https://twitter.com/zackbeauchamp/status/893557042803335168
https://twitter.com/DrAA82/status/893549403151241217
https://twitter.com/NoThoughtsHere/status/893549304387907584
https://twitter.com/Chip91/status/893549300000727041
Martin Shkreli boasting that he beat the government 5-3 in his securities fraud trial. OTOH each of the 3 is a criminal conviction
— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) August 4, 2017
Martin Shkreli found guilty earlier and evidently the courtroom sketch artist is a 5 year old child! #IcantEven pic.twitter.com/9dC6WugOlg
— Seph Lawless (@seph_lawless) August 4, 2017
Martin Shkreli has been convicted of fraud. He had become infamous for raising the price of a lifesaving drug. https://t.co/QL42sRManj
— The New York Times (@nytimes) August 4, 2017
Sitcom pitch: Martin Shkreli and Stephen Miller in a prison cell together
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) August 4, 2017
Im not big on gifts but…
I am pretty sure I will be getting Martin Shkreli a female dog named Karma.
— Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) August 4, 2017
However, before we get too happy, remember this:
Martin Shkreli raised the price of a drug by 5,000%. But that's not why he's going to jail. Because doing that is legal in America.
— Anirvan Ghosh (@anirvanghosh) August 4, 2017