Theranos Founder Elizabeth Holmes Merchandise Being Sold Online
As the fraud case of Elizabeth Holmes enters its fifth week, merchandise both supporting and slamming the Theranos founder is available sold online.
Holmes is on trial for allegedly defrauding investors, medical professionals, and customers with a technology that she and ex-boyfriend Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani claimed worked by testing for diseases with a single drop of blood.
Holmes became a Silicon Valley sensation with Theranos. She had served as the vice-chair, COO, and president of the biotech startup that was once valued at $9 billion.
Holmes, who has pleaded not guilty, faces 20 years in prison if convicted. The high-profile trial has opened up merchandising opportunities for independent online retailers.
Holmes has a legion of followers that are scooping up merchandise from sites such as Amazon, RedBubble, and Etsy, Business Insider reported.
Some of the merchandise is in support of the former Theranos founder, with her likeness emblazoned on items like mugs, T-shirts, and accessories labeled with “girlboss.” Other items poke fun at the defamed Holmes, with taglines that read, “fake it ‘til you make it.”
Other references used to sell merchandise with Holmes’ face plastered on it include “gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss” – terms used to describe feministic capitalism and “I wish disgraced founder of Theranos Elizabeth Holmes had an MLM so I could join it.”
Other items said, “They hate to see a girl boss winning, and “Disgraced founder of Theranos Elizabeth Holmes is my #GirlBoss.”
Fans of Holmes or “Holmies” as they are often referred to online may relate to the Theranos founder as they see their own mistakes in her, which are being played in public, Stephen D. Benning, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, previously told Business Insider.
Photo: Getty Images/Lisa Lake