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

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

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

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

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

Loss of Control Over Women

Religion

Pro-Choice Activists

Jaz , GA / January 16, 2025

LGBTQ+

Confusion

Trans People

Anonymous , CO / January 14, 2025

Losing Power

Young People With New Ideas

Massacres and Torture

Fernando , Mexico / January 2025

Death

Crime Rates Increase

Poor People/Lack of Money

Anonymous , CO / January 13, 2025

Young Educated Adults

Department of Education

LGBTQ+

Emily , CA / January 9, 2025

School

Peer Pressure

Parents and Teachers

Angie , NJ / January 8, 2025

Communism

Joseph McCarthy

Government Employees, Suspected Communists, etc.

Anonymous , United States / January 8, 2025

Criticism Online

Cancel Culture

Influencers

Adalina , NJ / January 8, 2025

Loss of Reproductive Rights

Roe v. Wade Overturned

Trump

Alana , NJ / January 7, 2025

Masculinity

Insecurity

Transgender Women/Men

Madison , NJ / January 7, 2025

Minority Religions and Cultures

Economic Instability

Jewish People

Eli , MA / January 6, 2025

Educated Women

Maternal Morbidity/Mortality

Midwives

Lynnet , LA / January 5, 2025

Transgender Community

Religious Right Wing

Human Beings And Legislative Violence

Anonymous , CO / January 2, 2024

Neurodivergence

Alien

People With Autism

Jasper B. , Nashville, TN / December 30, 2024

Italian-Australians

Italy's Axis Power Status

Italians in Internment Camps

Anthony , MA / December 2024

Political Clout

Fake Story On Eating Cats and Dogs

Immigrants

Anonymous , NY / December 2024

Different Religions

Dictatorship: Hitler

Jewish People

Anna-Mai , Wales / December 2024

Racism and Xenophobia

Donald Trump

Haitian Asylum Seekers

Hsu Chen , CA / December 2024

Being Ridiculed

Peers

Humanity/Society's Standards

Lilly-Anne , Earth / December 27, 2025

Lost Jobs

Importing Chinese Laborers

Chinese and Chinese Exclusion Act

Maya , CA / December 2024

Transgender Community

Religious Right Wing

Human Beings and Legislative Violence

Spencer , CO / December 2024

Death

People

God/Devil

Kate , MA / December 2024

Terrorism

9/11

Muslims

Amy , PA / December 2024

Supernatural

Religion

Witches

Myles , MA / December 23, 2024

No Soul (Idea or Perception)

Eradicating the Different

Native Canadian Medicine Women

Jessica , Canada / December 2024

Misfortune/Misery

Culture (Sorcery)

Albino People in Western Africa

Audrey , UK / December 2024

Poverty/Job Loss

Recession/Inflation

Immigrants

Lindsey , MA / December 2024

Government

Truth

Witches

Cynthia , KY / December 20, 2024

Not Being Able to Afford to Live

Bad Economy/Inflation

Immigrants

Ella , PA / December 2024

Death

Seeing Other People Die

The Devil

Juliana , DE / December 19, 2024

Science/Competence

Donald Trump

Immigrants

AI , NJ / December 2024

War

9/11

Muslims

Warren , VT / December 14, 2024

Free Speech-Critical Questioning of Power

Scarcity Mindset

Neurodivergents-Nonconformists

Hali , CA / December 12, 2024

Hispanics Taking White People´s Jobs

Influx Of Immigrants Into United States

Immigrants

Anya , CA / December 12, 2024

9/11

Inside Job

Muslims

Warren , VT / December 12, 2024

Jewish Conspiracy

War Against Hamas

American Jews/Israelis

Alex , ME / December 10, 2024

Ignorance

Mass Media

Popular Opinion

Jessie , MD / December 2024

MAGA

Trump's Lies

Immigrants and LGBTQIA+ Community

Diane , VA / December 2024

Supernatural

Religion

Witches

Anonymous , Salem, MA / December 6, 2024

Animals

Child Falling Into Pen

Harambe

Harambe , ID / December 6, 2024

Sickness

COVID-19 Pandemic

Asian Communities

Courtney , FL / December 2, 2024

Illegal Immigrants

Donald Trump

Migrant Travel Bans, "The Wall"

Brian , IN / December 2, 2024

Loss of National Identity

Influx of Immigrants

Immigrant Communities

Abbie , Canada / December 2024

Economy

Trump

Immigrants

Tom , ID / December 2024

Accountability

Gospel Preaching

Bible-Believing Christians

Sonny , TN / December 1, 2024

Chinese People

COVID-19

Asian Americans

Brandon , ID / November 2024

Lack of Control Over Kids

Opportunistic Politicians

Trans People/Anti-Trans Laws

Leo , OH / November 2024

UFO Panic in America

Senate Committee Hearing

Innocent Citizens

Lily Rose , Washington D.C. / November 30, 2024

Lack of Control Over Kids

Opportunistic Politicians

Trans People and Anti-Trans Laws

Leo , OH / November 2024

Minority Religions and Cultures

Economic Instability

Jewish People

Alainie , MA / November 2024

Being Judged

Social Media/Cancel Culture

Influencers/People Posting

Marie , MA / November 27, 2024

Chinese

COVID-19

Asian Americans

Brandon , ID / November 2024

Jews Taking Over Germany

Hitler

Jewish People

Aden , Germany / November 26, 2024

Israel's Occupation of Palestine

Protests Against Israel and Palestinian Genocide

Non-Israeli Jews Antisemitism

Anonymous , VA / November 26, 2024

Loss of Women's Rights

Politics

Trump

Rebekah , VA / November 26, 2024

Loss of Interest in Religion

Hateful Government

Women Seeking Abortions

Savannah , IL / November 2024

Fall of Germany

Hitler's Rise to Power

Jewish People

Rebekah B. , Yorktown, VA / November 26, 2024

Democracy

Donald Trump

Minorities

Karen , MA / November 2024

Immigrants/Minorities/Being Elevated Over White Men

Trump

Anyone But White Men

Kim , CT / November 2024

Losing

LeBron Leaving Cavaliers

LeBron James

Justin , GA / November 20, 2024

Immigrants/Education/Economy

Higher Egg Prices

Anybody Not A White Male

Kelly , CT / November 2024

Palestinian Occupation

Israeli Government

Palestinians-Genocide & Ethnic Cleansing

Vanan , CA / November 2024

Death

COVID-19

Non-Vaccinated

Anonymous , MA / November 2024

Indoctrination

Trump

LGBTQ+ (Trans Folks)

Joanna , MD / November 2024

Losing Rights

Donald Trump

LGBTQ+

Teddy , MO / November 2024

Disease

COVID-19

Chinese People

Chloe , England / November 2024

Terrorism

9/11

Muslims

Dominic , MO / November 2024

God/Devil

Trump

Drag Queens/LGBTQ+

Shelby , TX / November 2024

Homophobia

Trump

LGBTQ+

Anonymous , USA / November 22, 2024

Gangs

Violent Crime Increase

Immigrants

Lee , NY / November 2024

Submit a Witch Hunt

Scapegoat
Example: for Massachusetts, put in MA