The term is derived from German for “schaden” and “joy” (“freude”). Merriam-Webster defines it as “the enjoyment received from the problems of others”.
The term began to appear in news reports, discussing reactions to Trump’s diagnosis. USA Today had the headline: “President Donald Trump’s coronavirus infection arouses foreign sympathy and some frustration. “schadenfreude finely veiled”of others.
MSNBC commentator Rachel Maddow also used it by comparing Trump’s positive check with a regular smoker with lung cancer. “Your intuition is to blame them. Go ahead, enjoy this Schadenfreude,” he says, before asking for empathy.
In addition to the increase in studies and use through major media (and Colbert), the term began to trend on Twitter, with others joking about schadenfreude, as well as others criticizing those who reveled in Trump’s diagnosis.
Nolen Gertz, an assistant professor of philosophy at Twente University, wrote a long joke about Trump’s reaction to coVID, beginning with a commentary on schadenfreude. A user joked and asked if he was hungover.
Others criticized those who enjoyed listening to Trump’s news. The jurist Laurence Tribe wanted the president and the first girl to be fine. “This is not the time for cruelty, schadenfreude or any other form of narrow-mindedness,” political commentator Dinesh wrote. D’Souza said other people’s schadenfreude exposed others as “soulless and soulless creatures. “
Others reacted with some indifference. Mountain Goats composer John Darnielle tweeted that he could not literally feel schadenfreude, thinking that very little will be learned from Trump’s COVID diagnosis.
Newsweek touched Merriam-Webster’s tactile form on its online page for comment, but did not get a reaction in time for publication.
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