What is a witch-hunt? When studying the history of witchcraft, it is important to understand that witchcraft was a crime created and imposed on innocent people. No individual actually had the power to cause hailstorms, spread mass disease, or fly through the night to a gathering of evil beings. This was a crime imposed on innocent people during times of mass fear and hysteria. While the legal prosecution of witchcraft came to an end in the eighteenth century, the pattern of behavior that caused witch-hunts can be identified throughout history and in the modern day.
The Salem Witch Museum’s mission is to be the voice of the innocent victims of the witch-hunt of 1692, while also bringing awareness to the root cause of witch-hunts and how they continue to impact our society today. In our second exhibit, Witches: Evolving Perceptions, we present a formula that can be used to describe the pattern of behavior responsible for sparking witch-hunts, with examples from 1692 through the twentieth-century.
This formula is “fear + a trigger = a scapegoat.”
A scapegoat is defined as a person who is unfairly or irrationally the object of blame.
Over the years, many of our visitors have made suggestions to our staff, offering examples of what they feel qualify as an instance of a witch-hunt. There are so many examples of witch-hunts that have taken place throughout history, that we couldn’t highlight all of these suggestions in our exhibit. Since August 2017, we have been asking our visitors to fill out this formula with examples they believe fit this pattern, and to submit these suggestions to our museum. This webpage is a place to share these examples. Within this project, our Department of Education is currently actively imputing and updating these pages so as to display as many submissions as we are given, in their entirety, without alteration or interpretation.
The goal of this project is to give our public a voice to interact with the concept of a witch-hunt. Please note, the views and opinions expressed on the witch-hunt website are those of our visitors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Salem Witch Museum.
You may view these examples month to month, or thematically by scapegoat. If you wish to add a submission, please enter your example into the blank spaces below.
Search Witch Hunts by Date
Submissions may be viewed month to month by selecting a date below.
Fear
Trigger
Scapegoat
Knowledge/Truth
Questioning the Government/Religion
Colleges/Teachers
Esa , GA / June 15, 2025
Science
COVID-19
Science-Based Knowledge
Trask , Salem, Massachusetts / June 13, 2025
Marijuana as Gateway Drug
Ronald Reagan's War on Drugs
Unfair Incarceration of African Americans
Liz W. , Columbus, OH / June 2025
Computers
AIs
Tech Workers
Anonymous , MA / June 2025
Immigrants
Politics
Irish Need Not Apply
John , Danville, CA / June 2025
Terrorism (ACTS)
9/11
Arabic Nations/Religions
Stephan W. , KY / June 2025
Anti-Freedom
Trump
Immigrants/LGBTQ
Anonymous , Queens, NY / June 2025
Escaping Slaves
Black Moses/Harriet Tubman
Fugitive Slave Act
Anonymous , MA / June 2025
Science
COVID-19
Science-Based Knowledge
Anonymous , USA / June 10, 2025
Climate Change
Private Jet Use
Taylor Swift
Lily , NH / June 10
Infection
COVID
China
Anonymous , Queens, NY / June 2025
China/Communism
COVID-19
Anti-Asian Hate/Violence
Kyla , Gaithersburg, MD / June 9, 2025
Economic Insecurity
Deportation
Undocumented Immigrants
Wolfie , CA / June 9, 2025
White Replacement
MAGA
Immigrants
Norman , Orlando, FL / May 2025
The Middle East
Seeing Them as Security Issue
Never-Ending Existential Threats
Ann , San Diego, CA / June 2025
Disease
Coronavirus
Racism Towards Chinese
Kamila , TX / June 2025
Traditional Views of Masculinity and Femininity Threatened and Patriarchy Losing its Grip
Transgender People Becoming Accepted and Normalized (Especially Among Gen-Z)
Transgender People (Especially Kids)
Sheri , Omaha, NE / June 8, 2025
Terrorist Attacks
Israel Defending Itself
Jews
Issam H. , CA / June 2025
Economic Uncertainty
Trump
Immigrants
Anonymous , MA / June 2025
Fear of the Devil and Witchcraft Corrupting the Community
Strange Behaviour Amongst Young Girls
Women: Especially Outsiders and Non-Conformists
Anonymous , MA / June 3, 2025
Terrorist Jihad
Israel Defending Itself
Jews
Stacy F. , FL / June 2025
Misidentification
Trump
ICE (Immigrants)
Luiz , Everett, MA / June 2025
Being Complicit in Colonization
Israel-Hamas War
Jewish People
Dan , NY / June 3, 2025
Diversity
Immigration
Unlawful Deportations
Amanda , Idaho Falls, ID / June 2025
People of Color and Antisemitism
Hamas
Palestinians
Ava , French Valley, CA / June 2025
Deportation and Defunding Social Security
Trump and Musk
American Senior Citizens and Immigrants
Theresa , NJ / May 2025
Crime
Donald Trump
Immigrants
Rose P. , Tinley Park, IL / May 2025
Control Female Reproduction
Supreme Court Decision: Roe v. Wade
Women and Girls
Carlotta T. , Dunedin, FL / May 25, 2025
Gender Equality
Toxic Masculinity
Trans Athletes
Sam , Carlsbad, CA / May 2025
MA State Police Not Solving a Crime
John O'Keefe's Death
Karen Read
Alex , MA / May 23, 2025
Old White Men Becoming Irrelevant
Being Physically Incapable
Trans Athletes
Hank , Carlsbad, CA / May 2025
COVID-19 Outbreak
First Reported in China
Asian Hate
Zheng W. , NY / May 2025
Knowledge and Intellectualism
Trump and the Culture Wars
Libraries
Anonymous , Asheville, NC / May 23, 2025
9/11
Muslims
Muslim Hate
Lilia , MA / May 2025
Violence
George Floyd
Black People
Alexis O. , Elgin, OK / May 2025
White Male Replacement
Economic Fears
Immigrants/DEI
Neil H. , Sound Beach, NY / May 2025
Drugs/Crime
Donald Trump
Immigrants, Southern Border
Stacy P. , Ft. Lauderdale, FL / May 2025
Latinos
Trump
Massive Deportations
Anonymous , / May 2025
Illness/Infection
COVID
Asians
Jackie , Brooklyn Park, MN / May 2025
Infection
COVID-19 Outbreak in China
Chinese
Anonymous , NJ / May 2025
Latinos "Taking" Opportunities
Immigration
Latino Community
Ryanne , San Antonio, TX / May 2025
Economic Insecurity
Recession
Immigrants
Tim , PA / May 2025
Terrorism/Bombings
9/11
Middle Eastern or Muslims
Melissa , Sacramento, CA / May 2025
Venezuelan Gangs
Trump
Immigrants
Marietta H. , Haddonfield, NJ / May 2025
Loss of White Dominance
Black President/ Donald Trump
LGBTQ+, Immigrants, People of Color
Sherrie , Frederick, MD / May 2025
Crime/Drugs
Trump
Latinos/Immigrants
Anonymous , MA / May 2025
Trump
Violent Crime
Illegal Immigrants From Spanish-Speaking Countries
Yvonne C. , NJ / May 2025
Islam
9/11
Immigrants/Iraq
Ruby , England / May 2025
Homophobia
Bigots With Influence
LBGTQIA+ Community
Camryn , CA / May 11, 2025
Dwindling Nationalism
Losing Power Among Whites
Current Deportation Measures
Ari , Sarasota, FL / May 2025
China
COVID
Asian/Asian Violence
Emily , Palisades Park, NJ / May 2025
Diversity, Truth, and WOKE
Fascist President Trump and Cowardly GOP
Anyone Who Thinks Differently Than the Fascists
Wayne , San Francisco, CA / May 10, 2025
Donald Trump
Power
Democrats
Dawn-Anne , Matamoras, PA / May 2025
Fentanyl
Donald Trump
Literally Any Person of Color
Anya , Boston, MA / May 2025
Lawfare
Joe Biden
Donald Trump
Trevor , Boston, MA / May 4, 2025
Terrorists/Terrorism
9/11
Middle Eastern Americans
Anonymous , TX / May 1, 2025
Differences
Economy/Money
People of Color
Paula , Galatia, IL / April 2025
Antisemitism
Genocide
Palestine/Pro-Palestine Supporters
Jess , Boston, MA / April 2025
Relegation
Ten Hag
Harry Maguire
Anonymous , Manchester, UK / April 25, 2025
Voter Fraud
Recent Elections
Community Groups
Channing E. , Shreveport, LA / April 25, 2025
COVID
Rhetoric, Came from China
China
Mollie , Cambridge, MA / April 2025
Financial Insecurity
Trump/Economy
Immigrants, Trans Folks, Women, Anyone Different
Catherine C. , MA / April 2025
Natural Healing
Medical Field
Witches (Natural Healers)
Kayden , GA / April 22, 2025
Country Failure
Hitler
Jewish People
Caleb , Metuchen, NJ / April 21, 2025
Others That are Different
Woke/DEI
Transgender People
Monica , Lincoln, NE / April 2025
Loss of Jobs
Trump
Immigrants/Minorities
Anonymous , MA / April 2025
Spanish Using Their Runaway Slaves
The Slaves Fleeing to the British Colony to Help the Spanish
Slaves and the British Hanging Runaways
Anonymous , UK / April 19, 2025
Society Feared the Economic Instability and Social Unrest
Incidents of Resistance or Rebellion by Enslaved Africans With Stereotypes Depicting Them as Inherently Dangerous or Inferior
Enslaved Africans and Their Descendants Are Scapegoats for Social Unrest and Economic Problems
Misganu Olkeba , WA / April 18, 2025
Violence
Trump
Minorities
Anonymous , MA / April 2025
"Others"
Immigrants Being "Violent"
LGBTQIA+ and Non-Christian
Anonymous , MA / April 2025
Diverse and Growing Population in the Americas and "Heretical" Practices That Challenged Catholic Orthodoxy
Indigenous and African Religious Traditions After Forced Conversions to Christianity
Indigenous Priests, Healers, and Afro-Descendant Spiritual Leaders
Anonymous , MA / April 18, 2025
Economic Oppression
Fascist Politicians
Immigrants "Stealing Jobs"
Leela , Brooklyn, NY / April 2025
Communism/Socialism
MAGA Propoganda
Social Programs like SNAP, Medicaid/Medicare, Social Security
Jenifer Baxter , Salt Lake City, UT / April 16, 2025
Fear of The Devil and Witchcraft Corrupting the Community
Strange Behavior Amongst Young Girls
Women; Especially Outsiders and Non-Conformists
Alex E. , MA / April 16, 2025
Violence
Trump
Immigrants
Kendra , Yuba City, CA / April 2025
China/Communism
COVID-19
Anti-Asian Hate/Violence
Kyla , Gaithersburg, MD / April 2025
Iommigrants
Donald Trump
Mass Deportation
Madeleine , Abington, MA / April 2025
Losing Power and Control Over the Kingdom
Conflict Between Charles I and the Parliament
Parliament Blamed King Charles I and Royalist Blamed the Parliament
Ethan N. , WA / April 15, 2025
Rebellion
Native
Native American Tribe
Tonia , WA / April 15, 2025
Facts
Media/Emotional Manipulation
50% of Americans
Molly , PA / April 14, 2025
Trypophobia
Beehives
Bees
D.J. M. , GA / April 14, 2025
Scarcity of Resources
Donald J. Trump
Illegal Removal and Jailing of Latinos
Alex , Baltimore, MD / April 2025
Drugs and Crime
Border Crossings
Immigrants
Miranda , NC / April 2025
Biological Accountability
Pregnancy
Unborn Children
Molly , PA / April 15, 2025
Infiltration
Immigration
Immigrants and Anti-Immigration
Haylee , Gaithersburg, MD / April 2025
Autism and Other Disorders
Current Rates in Society
Vaccines
Tyler , Pasadena, CA / April 2025
Loss of Children's Innocence
Books
Leftist/Liberalist/Marxist/Librarians/LGBTQIA+/Drag Queens
Anonymous , FL / April 11, 2025
Divination Abuse
Financial/Anointed One
Privileged White Retiree Female 3rd Generation American
D. Lynch Valente , Corridor of NE, Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess Counties / April 10, 2025
Different Cultures
Rise of the Far Right
Illegal Immigrants
Jackie , Pasadena, CA / April 2025
Non-Conformity
Change of Rules
Trans Community
Brittany , New York City, NY / April 2025
Corruption of Children
Growing Conservative Backlash
Transgender and Nonbinary People
Alessandra , NY / April 2025
Changes in Gender Roles
Trump Campaign
Trans Community
Olivia , Williamsburg, MA / April 2025
Child Being "Converted" to Gay
Openly Gay Teachers
Teachers and Firing Teachers With No Cause
Al , Pittsburgh, PA / April 2025
Islamophobia
2024 Southport Murders
Asylum Seekers
Rachel , London, UK / April 2025
Crime
Trump
Immigrants
Anne , Pittsburgh, PA / March 2025
Economic Hardship
Trump
The Rest of the World
Anne , Pittsburgh, PA / March 2025
Immigrants
Trump/MAGA
Foreigners
Anonymous , USA / March 2025
Economic Fear
Racism
Rejection of Immigrants
Sonia C. , Columbus, OH / March 2025
Framing the Innocent
Corruption and Misconduct of Michael Proctor
Karen Read
Anonymous , Canton, Massachusetts / March 31, 2025
Liberal Youth
Dismantling Gender Roles
Transgender/NB People
Ry , NY / March 2025
Unjust Laws
Moral Facts
Exclusive Legal Positivism
Luisa-Bent , MA / March 29, 2025
Nature, Animals, Women
Misogynistic Patriarchy
Project 2025
Marissa J. , Warren, RI / February 2025
Disease
COVID-19
Unvaxed
Anonymous , USA / March 2025
Psychedelics
Counter-Culture
Thomas Leary
Orion , MA / March 28, 2025
Economic Difficulty
Trump
Immigrants
Lisa , St. Paul, MN / March 2025
Violence in US Communities
MS13 Gang-Related Violence
Migrant Workers from Latin America
Luke , Brooklyn, NY / March 2025
Losing Power
January 6th
Anyone Different
Clara , FL / March 2025
Property Damage
Teens Trespass at St. Ann's Retreat and Held at Gunpoint
Teenagers
Emily L.C. , UT / March 26, 2025
Hamas
Netanyahu
People of Gaza
T.B. , Brooklyn, NY / March 2025
Independent Women/Loss of "Traditional" Family
White, Cis Men
Abortion and Bans
Anonymous , USA / March 2025
Being Caught and Going to Jail
DOGE
Elon Musk
Mrs. Robertson , FL / March 25, 2025
Change
Skill
Caitlin Clark
Anonymous , IA / March 25, 2025
Divorce
Unhealthy Relationship
Children
Anonymous , PA / March 25, 2025
Witches
Religion
Women
Anonymous , MA / March 25, 2025
Anyone Who Challenges Status Quo
Trump's Presidency '24-'28
People in Resistance to Authoritarianism
Anonymous , USA / March 2025
"Other" and Islam
9/11
Islamophobia
Christian C. , Milwaukee, WI / March 2025
Lack of Conformity
McCarthyism
Communists and Dissidents
Anonymous , OH / March 20, 2025
Loss of Patriarchy
SCOTUS Nominations
Abuse/Assault Survivors/Women
Anonymous , OH / March 20, 2025
Get Poorer
Globalization
Migrants
Anonymous , USA / March 2025
Culture War
Elections
Trans People
Mary , FL / March 2025
Fall of Nuclear Family
Women Entering Work
Daycare Workers
Mae , MA / March 2025
Loss of Power and Misogyny
Decisions, Diversity, Dissent
Unlawful Executive Orders by Trump
Taylor , Cambridge, MA / March 2025
Famine/Pandemic/Inflation
Hitler
Jewish People
Emily , MA / March 2025
Losing Power White Men
Black President
Poor People
Steve J. , New Haven, KY / March 16, 2025
Infection
COVID-19
Chinese People/Population
Edith , AZ / March 2025
Economic Uncertainty
Trump
Immigrants
Kevin , Providence, RI / March 15, 2025
Pandemic/Inflation
Trump/MAGA
Trans/LGBT
Clare , Germany / March 2025
Sanguma (Witchcraft) in Papua New Guinea
Women's Liberation, Poor Healthcare, Land Disputes, and Exploration
Papuan Women
Paul , Australia / March 2025
Losing the Patriarchy
Trump
Kamala Harris
Rio , MA / March 12, 2025
Going Against Religion
Caricatures
Charlie Hebdo Workers
Waha , Belgium / March 11, 2025
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims
Kristen , TX / March 2025
Tom Brady
SuperBowl Win
Deflate Gate
Jim , IN / March 11, 2025
The Unknown
Political Uncertainty
LGBTQIA+
Olivia , MA / March 2025
Economic Downturn
Laken Riley Murder
Immigrants
Ana , IN / March 10, 2025
Fear of the Unknown and Out of the Mainstream Understanding
Anything Outside of Mainstream Beliefs, Not Upheld by Mainstream Medicine, Mainstream Religion, Western Medicine
Spiritual Healers, Intuitives, Readers, Energy Workers
Sally , MA / March 9, 2025
Immigrants Becoming Majority
Rise of Alt Right or Drop in Economy
Current Environment Deporting Immigrants
Kristina , Conroe, TX / March 2025
Getting in Trouble
Doing Something Bad
Siblings
Danika , MA / March 6, 2025
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims and Middle Eastern People
Christian , RI / March 6, 2025
Disdain of Christianity
LGBTQIA+
Books and Book Ban
Kassy , United States / March 6, 2025
Black Death
Jews Not Falling Ill
Jews
Heidi , New Zealand / March 6, 2025
Inflation
Gas Prices Rising
Joe Biden
Joelle , PA / March 5, 2025
World Invasion
Racism Against Extraterrestrials
Martians
Anonymous , Mars / March 5, 2025
Losing Power (White Men)
Black President
All Minorities and Women
Julie , Salina, KS / March 2025
Fear of Freedom Loss
Increased Immigration
Immigrant Displacement
Anonymous , USA / March 2025
Loss of Control/Power by the Rich
Trump/MAGA
"Woke" People/Progressives
Gale , Clearwater, FL / March 2025
The Dismantling of White Supremacy and Patriarchy
Religious Values/Nuclear Family
Trans Community
Jessi H. , USA / March 3, 2025
Registered Nurses
Nursing School
Nurses Causing Shortage
Viktoria , Long Island, NY / March 2025
Infection/Death
COVID-19
Chinese Immigrants/Asians
Weronika , Maspeth, NY / March 1, 2025
Hispanic Minorities Growing in the US
Fentanyl Addiction
Migrants
Dr. Salvador , Worcester, MA / March 2025
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims and Middle Eastern People
Christian , RI / February 2025
Accusation
Economic Dislocation
Blacklist/Wurzburg Witch Hunt Victims
Anonymous , Germany / February 26, 2025
Judeo-Christian Morality
Donald Trump Election
Republicans
Cephas , UK / February 25, 2025
Americans Losing Jobs
Rapid Intake of Immigrants
Legal Immigrants
Nivya , Somerville, MA / February 2025
Crime and Loss of Jobs
Lies and Anger by Politicians
Immigrant Population
Laura , Conroe, TX / February 24, 2025
Devil/God
Men Leaving Women for Whaling Industry
Hundreds of Basque Women
Manine , France / February 2025
Trump Derangement Syndrome
Blue-Haired Women
Normal People
Hugh J. , NJ / February 22, 2025
Men
Menopause/Hormones
Hanging the Accused
Holly P. , IL / February 22, 2025
Chinese
COVID-19
Chines People
Bee , Johnson City, TN / February 2025
Losing Privilege/Power
Anyone Who Looks/Sounds Different
Women, Minorities, People w/ Disabilities, Religions Other Than Christian, LGBTQIA+, Tattoos
Leslie Q. , St. Louis, MO / February 21, 2025
People Leaving Me
My Dad Leaving Me
Men
Maxine , Seymour, IN / February 20, 2025
Animal Cruelty
Lack of Experience with Farming and Livestock
Farmers
Mya , IL / February 20, 2025
Property Damage
Teens Trespass at St Ann’s Retreat and Held at Gunpoint
Teenagers
Emily , Logan Canyon, Utah / February 19, 2025
Jews
Israel Existing
Jews
Becca , NJ / February 14, 2025
The World Becoming More Secular
Anne Boleyn
Women
Tanya , MA / February 2025
Crime
Trump
Immigrant Hunting
Anonymous , MA / February 2025
White Men Losing Control of World
Trump
DEI and Minorities
Anonymous , TN / February 11, 2025
Motorcycle Crash
Bad Motorcycle Rider
Car That Hit Rider
Vyom , VA / February 10, 2025
Immigration
Joshua Kasongo Coming to the U.S
Government Regarding Immigration Policies
Joshua , VA / February 10, 2025
Shootings
Gang Members
Police
Kasongo , VA / February 10, 2025
Black Americans
Crime
Police
Hafiz , VA / February 10, 2025
Black People
Robbery
Police
Josh , VA / February 10, 2025
Guns
Mass School Shootings
People With Mental Illness
Roman , CA / February 10, 2025
Witchcraft
Dementia
Elderly
Mary , NH / February 8, 2025
Anti-Vax
COVID
Medical Research
Bharath , NJ / February 2025
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims
Anonymous , United States / February 6, 2025
Divorce
Unhealthy Relationship
Children
Anonymous , PA / February 6, 2025
Psychedelics
Counter-Culture
Timothy Leary
Shash , MA / February 2025
People Different Than I
Trump Regime
Immigrant Community
Margaret , MA / February 4, 2025
People Different Than I
Trump Regime
Trans Community
Margaret , MA / February 4, 2025
Declining Music Industry
Bad Music
Nettspend
Hoax , USA / February 4, 2025
Losing Pets
Trump's Speech
Springfield
Chris , TX / February 4, 2025
AI Taking Over
Alexa
Robots
Will , VA / February 4, 2025
Conservatives
Patriotism
Trump
Anonymous , MA / February 3, 2025
Death
People
God/Devil
Vyom , VA / January 31, 2025
Robots Taking Over the World
People Using AI for Bad
Anyone Using AI
Flower , VA / January 31, 2025
Health Insurance Rising
Death of Healthcare Global CEO
Bill Clinton
Arnav , Washington D.C. / January 31, 2025
High Medical Insurance
Death of Healthcare Global CEO
Obama
Arnav , VA / January 31, 2025
Gang Violence
Grandson by King Von is Released
Dirty Drill Music
Paul , VA / January 30, 2025
Women's Rights
Dictatorships
Feminista
Anonymous , Italy / January 30, 2025
China Spying On America
TikTok Collecting Data
TikTok/Social Media Bans
Katie , Ian, NY / January 30, 2025
Power
Healing
Women
Martha , MA / January 29, 2025
New Patriots Dynasty
Mac Jones Rookie Season
Matt Patricia
Tim , MA / January 28, 2025
Mass Migration
Mass Deportation
Migrants
KE , MN / January 28, 2025
Tech Sales
Sales Down
Women in Tech
Laura , RI / January 27, 2025
Terrorism
9/11
Middle Eastern Americans
Matthew , IL / January 26, 2025
Terrorism
9/11/01
Islam
Sogol and Sasha , CA and WA / January 2025
Freedom
Trump
Supporters
Anonymous , MA / January 2025
Anyone Differnet
Internet
Groups That are Different
Efrain , MA / January 2025
Non-Traditional Gender Identity
Religious Values/Traditional Culture
Trans People/Drag Performers
Jason , Canada / January 2025
China Spying On America
TikTok Collecting Data
TikTok/Social Media Bans
Ian , NY / January