They say Karma finds a way of coming back around, and that couldn’t have been more true in 2015. This year, we saw some of the world’s worst people receive long overdue comeuppance for their awful past behavior–greedy CEOS, violent gay bashers, corrupt politicians, homophobic reality stars. It truly was a banner year for divine payback even though, of course, we don’t wish ill on anyone, no matter how awful they are. Just simple justice.
Scroll down for eight times when karma proved to be a total bitch in 2015…
Martin Shkreli
The 32-year-old price gouging CEO became Public Enemy #1 in August when he raised the price of Daraprim, a drug used by some HIV patients, from $13.50 to $750 per tablet. A major backlash ensued, and when the dust finally settled, Shkreli’s company reported a net loss of $14.6 million. But it gets better. Because on December 17, he was arrested by the FBI and charged with securities fraud, paraded in front of cameras in handcuffs, and a day later he was ousted from his job at Turing Pharmaceuticals. Well, at least temporarily.
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The Duggar Family
The Bible-thumping, gay-hating Duggar family had their reputation ruined and their TLC reality show cancelled in May after their eldest son, Josh, admitted to molesting two of his sisters plus three other underage girls in their sleep when he was 17 years old. If that wasn’t vile enough, a few months later Josh was outed for having not one but two Ashley Madison accounts, which he used to facilitate extramarital affairs while his unsuspecting wife, Anna, was busy carrying his children. Oh, but it doesn’t stop there. In November, adult film actress Danica Dillon filed a lawsuit against Josh accusing him of beating her during sex then giving her $1500 in hush money as a gift. We suspect Karma may not be quite finished with this one yet.
Scott Walker
Wisconsin’s antigay governor was one of the last Republican candidates to announce he was running for president in 2016 and one of the first to announce he was dropping out of the race. Walker, who voted in favor of a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage and has made a career out of bashing working people, claimed he was exiting the race to help clear the overcrowded field, though his declining poll numbers and dwindling campaign funds probably had something to do with it. And maybe because he’s just a jerk.
One simply does not become the Queen of Pop without making a few enemies along the way. While we love Madonna and always will, we also recognize that she is by no means perfect. Over the decades, she’s had more than her fair share of squabbles with other celebrities–Lady Gaga, Sandra Bernhard, Demi Moore, and Gwyneth Paltrow, to name a few. This year, Karma paid Madge a little visit during the Brit Awards in London when she suffered a major wardrobe malfunction that resulted in her nearly having her head cut off on live television. Remember that? If not, here’s the video.
Kathryn Knott
The Jack Daniels-loving, 25-year-old police chief’s daughter made national headlines in September 2014 when she and two others screamed “fucking faggots” as they pummeled a same-sex couple in Philadelphia. The unprovoked attack resulted in one of the victims having his eye socket broken and his jaw shattered. While Knott’s two cohorts pleaded guilty and accepted generous plea deals earlier this year, Knott insisted on going to trial. One week before Christmas, she was found guilty of simple assault, conspiracy and reckless endangerment. After the verdict, she was seen choking back tears as she and her daddy fled the courthouse.
David Vitter
The bad bedroom behavior of antigay “family values” politician and admitted prostitute patron Sen. David Vitter came back to haunt him during his run for the Governor’s office in Louisiana. Vitter didn’t just lose the election, he lost it by a landslide to an unknown Democrat in a deeply red state. Even his own uber-conservative home district voted against him. (Ouch!) The defeat proved so embarrassing that Vitter ultimately announced he would not be seeking reelection to the U.S. Senate next year, to the disappoint of no one.
Gayle Newland
The 25-year-old Cheshire woman was sentenced to eight years in prison in November after she tricked her friend into having sex by posing as a man. Yes, you read that correctly. For two years, Newland disguised both her voice and appearance, convincing her friend to wear a blindfold every time they met. The scheme eventually crumbled, however, when the friend removed the mask to discover Newland wearing a prosthetic penis. The judge in the case called Newland “intelligent, obsessional, highly manipulative, deceitful, scheming and thoroughly determined.” A jury convicted her of three counts of sexual assault.
Bristol Palin
The ever-charming poster child for abstinence was once again caught with her hand in the cookie jar when she announced that she was pregnant in June. For those of you keeping a tally, this is her second pregnancy out of wedlock. In her statement, Palin, who has never been shy about expressing her opposition to LGBTQ equality, said: “Tripp, this new baby, and I will all be fine, because God is merciful.” Yes, Bristol. God is merciful, and loves everyone–even hypocrites.
Karma, on the other hand, isn’t always as forgiving.
Peter Waldran
What bullshit, including Madonna in this list.
JessPH
Madonna is a huge ally of the LGBTs and should not be on this list of horrible bigots. Shame on you, Queerty.
Brennan O'Dell
Really insulting to include Madonna with this cast of characters. Do better.
JamesG76
@Peter Waldran: I agree, I don’t understand why Madonna is on this list. People slip and fall onstage sometimes. Plenty of others could have used that eighth spot on the list. #Lazylisting
Poloboy50
Really Graham; you put Madonna on the list….
Karma is going to get your Queer Ass
darian
Damn when did we start beefing with Madonna?
Joey Hepburn Davis
Madonna has contributed more good to the world than the rest of that list combined, so bye. This was probably written by a fan of…nvm…
martinbakman
Kudos to Madonna.
Why throw her in the pot with these horrible people?
spacecadet
Instead of Madonna, the list should include the Affluenza kid. Sure it may not have to do with LGBT issues but what that boy did was truly awful: shoplifting beer, driving drunk, mowing down and killing four innocent people, injuring the passengers in his own car including paralyzing one of them, claiming as a defense that his own wealth and privilege made him not understand the consequences of his actions, showing absolutely no remorse, and then violating the terms of his own probation. And now he is a wanted man and will face trial as an adult once he’s caught. Karma indeed!
blkluvla
I agree with the comments about Madonna. I don’t think it’s fair. She was the only one on the list that actually I felt sorry for and wished that she hadn’t suffered the accident. The others I was happy about their karmic comeuppance.
Markajv
Just because you are Gay does not mean you have to like Madonna, however you should respect her for everything she has done for the LGBT community. To put her in this list of total DOUCHEBAGS who have done completely horrendous things, when all that happened to her was an accident, is way, way past wrong. What an asshole thing to do. I think you just showed us what you think she acts like when she is not in the public eye. Hypocritical.
joeyty
You’ll all express anger about Madonna being included on the list, but as long as you keep returning to Queerty, obediently, the staff doesn’t care.
woodroad34
It seems that Pam Bondi is missing from this list. Not only was the hypocritical twice-divorced Florida Attorney General fighting gay marriage because of traditional values, but she lost and Florida embraced Gay marriage. Also, the Governor of Indiana, Mike Pence, who thought he’d energize the Republican base by passing the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA)–only to find his popularity sank with a majority of republicans and the state as a whole. Or of course, the baking bashers in Oregon, or Kim Davis, or Franklin Graham (who took his money out of one bank because of their support for including a lesbian couple in an and going to another bank that supported a Miami Gay Pride parade). There’s a pattern here. I’m just waiting for something to happen to Scalia and his bizarre intellectualizations.
mcflyer54
You forgot to mention Josh Duggar’s political connections (being photographed with nearly every one of the current – and past – GOP presidential wannabes) as well as his losing his highly paid (though unqualified for) position as gay demonizing spokesperson for good buddy Tony Perkins Family Research Council (FRC). I will never post anything about the Duggars without including their connections to the GOP, Tony Perkins & the FRC.
Rene Sosa
Queerty’s mention of Madonna’s fall in this list of degenerates is pretty assholish.
Giancarlo85
I’m not a fan of Madonna, but that is pretty disgusting to mention an accident where another person could have seriously got hurt. And then grouping her with a bunch of republican douchebags. Maybe you should post a picture of a troll that signifies the gay republican losers on this site. They deserve a place on this list more than Madonna ever would.
I can predict the typical Madonna haters will make their usual cheapshots. Again, I’m not even a fan of Madonna, but this is simply taking it too far.
joeyty
@Giancarlo85: wasting your words
Arconcyyon
No not dont´s no MADONNA yes gafe in LIVE SHOW the lokking black end the 2015 @ ! Performc no inciy the show is cenarius the leauge TUOR Equeip TURO RebelHeartt´s Sigle Music Unissex Beaths Number .
Giancarlo85
@Arconcyyon: Say what?
This looks like Google Translate went horribly wrong.
shle896
Madonna is a “horrible person” because she’s had spats with ex-friends in the past and thus she deserved to be injured in an embarrassing fall in front of millions? One of our biggest allies and you included her on this list with people like Bristol Palin? I think whoever wrote this is a horrible person.I’m unsubscribing from Queerty. Grow the F up. What is this Perez Hilton? Consider me an ex-reader.
Markajv
@Giancarlo85 Thank you. The other 7 actually were truly awful people. Like I said, you do not have to like Madonnna but an accident isn;t considered being an awful person. Someone at Queerty has some H8. I felt like I was reading a Zach Spires blog Coughdickweedcough.
Markajv
@shle896: Let’s ask the …..writers? at Queerty. Have you ever had a spat with an ex-friend? Did that make either of you a horrible person? People are people…..so why should it be, you and I should get along so awfully (Sorry that popped into my head) Childish. But then again you have to expect cattiness from the “Gays”
seaguy
Madonna does not belong on this list and your reasoning for putting her on it is pathetic.
[email protected]
Madge earned it. Fine list.
Poloboy50
OMG Giancarlo…you spew such hate all the time. It’s about Madonna and you drag the Republicans into it. What’s wrong with you? I’m not a Republican so I’m not trying to stick up for something. You attack with such vengeance… you sound like someone I never want to know; because you’re so negative. Screw the passion; are you sitting in the basement of your Mother’s home? Are you in a wheelchair with a missing limb from Diabetes? Or worse did you have to swim to get into this country? PADDLE-PADDLE You almost sound Columbian…thank you for your coffee.
It must be so wonderful to be so mercifully free from the ravages of intelligence.
Oh Merry Christmas…..Assh**e
Markajv
@joeyty: So what your saying is the staff of a Gay blog site has no care for it’s subscribers? Well if that’s true I think I need to take a couple ads out letting the Gay Community know that’s what’s going on. You wanted equality? You got it, and from your own people.
Markajv
@Poloboy50: WHOA!!! Giancarlo did NOT drag republicans into it Look at the other fucking 7 people on the list! Educate yourself before dissing your fellow man. YOU sound like a Donald Trump supporter with your “Paddle Paddle” and completely compassionate to bring up a disability and a disease to TRY and put someone down, These are the signs of a typical troll. You are the one who needs to get out of Mom’s basement and wipe the Cheetos dust off your orange coated fingers.
DuMaurier
I agree that Madonna is an odd choice (trying to get people talking…as on, this board? Guess it worked), and although I have no love for Bristol Palin, her inclusion also seems misplaced. What “karmic justice” did she get?
joeyty
@Markajv: It’s about time ! But you’re probably just spouting off like everybody else here who won’t do a thing and will be back tomorrow like lemmings.
Markajv
@joeyty: YAWN
ROTHERS
Now boys and girls sic. we are all suppoed to be non aggressive. everyone makes errors even the F&&&%$# bigots and politicians who we voted for but will adjust our votes accordingly. now that is karma baby voting.. scare the day lights outta them.
Wilson W Wong
I’m not a huge fan of Madonna, but to include her on this list is just cunty. She has been one of our biggest allies and you group her with homophobes and douche bags. You’re fucked.
rein1974
Shame on you Queerty. You just lost me as a reader. I understand you pathetic attempt to generate discussions, but why stoop to this new low? Palin, yes. Knott, yes. These are vial, despicable human beings who should be mentioned on anyones 2015 list of wretched worthless scum. But, Madonna. Really??? This woman has contributed to society more than any of these worthless A-h ol es combined. And your reasoning? Because she had falling outs with friends. Don’t we all???? Again, SHAME!!!!
Giancarlo85
@Poloboy50: You’re an iliterate one. This list is infested with republicans. What do you mean drag republicans into it? Republican dominate the list, peanut. Unlike you, I’m not going to use profanity to express my non-existent points either. I live in my own place and I pay my own bills. I’m 30 years old and have full time salaried employment. I am happy at where I am in my life right now. I don’t need approval or judgment from anyone else, and certainly not from some lazy judgmental Donald Trump supporter.
You’re like Steve Harvey. You can’t spell COLOMBIA and you don’t understand people are different than you. I have worked hard and nobody will take that away from me. Not now and not in a million years.
@Markajv: He’s nothing more than a one hit wonder troll. He’ll never post again. He’s a definite gay republican (or at the very least a bird brain Trump supporter). He’ll insult me endlessly when he doesn’t even know who I am.
You can’t fix a bird brain.
Giancarlo85
@Giancarlo85: And by non-existent points I’m referring your hate. My points are quite valid. 😉
Look at it this way, you can take your hate of me and shove it. 🙂 I’m not amused, Polo. I doubt I’ll ever see you on this site again.
Rob Moore
Madonna is a gay icon. She knows who still butters her toast since the rest of the world moved on. She has long had a reputation as not being particularly easy to be around. The fact she had to sue to force her 15 year-old son to return to New York to spend Christmas with her says something. Having had some experience with a mum who was a difficult person, a trait her daughter inherited and honed, I can relate.
The Duggar parents deserve a lot of bad karma as does Josh, but really I feel sorry for their children who have been brainwashed and indoctrinated by their twisted parents. I never watched their programme nor had any interest. The same can be said for the Kardashians. I wish both families would slide back into ignominious obscurity.
joeyty
@rein1974: You say Queerty lost you as a reader with this one, but….we’ll see. I guarantee you the majority here need Queerty to add meaning to their lives (they’d have no place to spout off their beliefs without it) so you’ll see all these posters again, whether they’re annoyed by Madonna’s inclusion or not.
Markajv
@joeyty: Looks like you speak for everyone. There are literally thousands of other “Gay” blog sites to go to. Some are nice, some are just nasty people behind a computer click-baiting you to a porn website they are getting paid to advertise. When you comment they Ban you. You got an issue?? Stop reading the comment section then commenting about what other people are saying is their opinion. Go use “Whisper” and leave the YouTubers alone you old tired, sad, mom’s basement living, black out curtains, Redbull can covered dirty ass floor, in a haze of Cheeto’s dust trolls . Those people are working hard, and show extreme diversity.
The headline reads “Eight Times Karma Proved A Total B*tch For Some Truly Awful People This Year” The inclusion of Madonna was a hateful “Gossip” piece. How does her having a beef with Sandra Bernhard 25 years ago have any relevancy to how “Awful” Madonna is? There is a LOOOOOONG! list of people that could be in that spot, or even higher up.
Nick Koperski
After this I’m unsubscribing and unliking this site. This is a total low includingmMadonna in your list. Hateful!
Alex Rothwell
i don’t get Madonna on this list.
William Mc Gregor
How many 8 balls did the writer snort before compiling this list!
Giancarlo85
Another character that didn’t make this lits was Antonin Scalia. His own rulings were used against him by other Justices. His own words backfired… yet according to the queens at Queerty, Madonna is more deserving of a place on here. *face palm*
Giancarlo85
@Giancarlo85: *list. And I actually meant his own writings (he doesn’t actually make rulings himself).
miki
Shame on you Queerty, for including Madonna on this list!!
Tombear
You should of put Kim Davis in the material girl’s place. We love Madonna! The hubby said yes too!
stevenb
This video is better https://youtu.be/Os7KjUUyNp4 Lady GaGa posted it.
Petros Lympertas
Absolutely stupid to include Madonna in this list!!
alphacentauri
Madonna is a real c u n t, and is not really actually for LGBT rights or our issues but just has pretended to be for decades so she can have queens that worship her, rush out to buy her new album, and pay a lot to see her lip synch in concert and sing the same old boring songs.
Markajv
@alphacentauri: BTW: If you have ever seen her live, she does not Lip Sync. YouTube her and watch her concerts or stage appearances. Unlike Brittney, Mariah, Christina,(Who have all been snagged Lip Synching)
Markajv
@alphacentauri: https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/madonna
Giancarlo85
@alphacentauri: I don’t think she deserves to be on this list. Scalia, Ben Carson, Donald Trump and Ted Cruz are just a couple of names that are more suitable.
Lexi Suarez
Madonna, really? I would have shared this had you not included her.
1EqualityUSA
I’m not into Madonna’s work (Dead-Head since puberty) however, I admire how she got up from a fall such as the one she took in this video and carried on singing. To rebound from that fall and continue singing is true professionalism. Because she is so physically fit, she’s not lying in a rehab traction bed. She has been very supportive of the gay community too. I like how the other commenters have expressed appreciation for her. Our Country is too hard on its artists.