What does the whipping boy is making a profit mean?

The phrase "the whipping boy is making a profit" suggests that someone who typically suffers consequences or bears the blame for others' actions is unexpectedly benefiting or gaining from the situation. In historical contexts, a whipping boy was a child who would be punished in place of a prince. In modern usage, it can imply a reversal of fortunes where the scapegoat or underdog finds a way to succeed or profit despite their position.