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
Dissent
Speaking About Palestine
Protestors and Advocates
Angela , Somerville, MA / November 2025
Terrorism
9/11
Palestinians and Middle Easterners
J.M. , Carolina, Puerto Rico / November 2025
Diversity/Lack of Control
Roe v. Wade
Women
Sadye , Georgetown, TX / November 2025
Diversity and Equality
Current President/Racism
Inhumane Treatment of Minorities/Deportation
Sadye , Georgetown, TX / November 2025
Terror
9/11
Muslims/Brown People
Aaron , Boston, MA / November 2025
Closing the Class Gap/Equality
Regulation by Government
Brown People
John , Chicago, IL / November 2025
Infection
COVID-19
Asian People
Sophia , Cambridge, MA / November 2025
Job Loss/Racism
Illegal Immigrants/Trump
Immigrants/Minorities
Chagit , Newton, MA / November 2025
Going Viral for Something Negative
Bunch of Reels and Posts
Social Media
Anonymous , FL / November 5, 2025
Powerful Women
Men Being Embarrassed
All Women
Anonymous , MA / November 5, 2025
New Patriots Dynasty
Tom Brady
Drake Maye
Cole Guilford , MA / November 4, 2025
Unfamiliar
Politicians/Manipulation
Trans/Gay Kids/People
Anonymous , / November 2025
Inflation/Unemployment
Trump
Immigrants
Anonymous , / November 2025
Loss of White Economic Power
Political Rhetoric
Immigrants
Stelly , Hampton, VA / November 2025
Loss of White Power
Donald Trump
Immigrants
Ellie , McLean, VA / November 2025
"Traditional" Gender Roles, Sex Identity is Changing
Internet/TV Representation of Trans People and Political Gain from Transphobia
Trans People
Lauren , Marietta, GA / November 2025
Increase in Prices
Inflation
China/Israel
Andrew C. , FL / November 3, 2025
People of Different Religions
Propaganda
Islam/Islamophobia
Anonymous , / November 2025
People Having What They Need
Propaganda
The Left/Demonization of the Left
Anonymous , / November 2025
Economic Regression
Misinformation
Hispanic Immigrants
Sophia , Johnston, RI / November 2025
Economy
Unemployment
Immigrants
Anthony , Detroit, MI / November 2025
Illegal Aliens and Violent Crime
Trump Administration
Legal Immigrants
C. Colby , USA / November 1, 2025
Promiscuity
Prostitution
Poor Women
Anonymous , Everywhere / October 30, 2025
Alina Clarke
Ethnic Studies
Students
Bob , CA / October 30, 2025
Takeover of Right-Wing Media
Excessive Searches for Immigrants
Charlie Kirk
Noah S. , MA / October 29, 2025
Die Angst Man Selbst Zu Sein
Menschen
Man Selbst
Elizabeth P. , MA / October 29, 2025
Outsiders/Economic Control
Black Death
Jews
Anonymous , / October 2025
Illegal Immigrants, Rape, Killing Children, Higher Taxes, Higher Gas
The Democratic Party
The Democratic Party
Sarah , FL / October 27, 2025
Unemployment
Far-Right Rhetoric
Immigrants
Anonymous , OH / October 27, 2025
Economic Instability/Job Loss to Immigrants
Trump's 2nd Election
U.S. Citizen Taken by ICE
Anna , Dallas, TX / October 2025
Anti-Semitism
Pro-Palestine Protests
People Who Want Peace for Israel and Palestine
Lisa , North Kingstown, RI / October 2025
The Unknown
Lack of Wanting to Learn
Satanism/Non-Conforming to Trad. Religious Ideas
Vik , NY / October 24, 2025
Any Fear Happening
Lies and Dehumanization
Jews/Antisemitism
Paula , Poughkeepsie, NY / October 2025
Scarcity
Trump/MAGA/ICE
Immigrants
Anonymous , / October 2025
Job Loss/Low Employment
Donald J. Trump
Immigrants
Chris B. , Kalamazoo, MI / October 2025
Gay People
Trump
LGBTQ+
Anonymous , OH / October 23, 2025
Sickness
COVID
Maskless People
Jon , Mexico City, Mexico / October 23, 2025
Safety/Loss of Medical Care
Trump and Christian Nationalism
Trans Community
Amanda , Portland, ME / October 2025
Economic Uncertainty
Trump
Immigrants
Anonymous , / October 2025
Drugs/Crime
MAGA
Immigrants/Latin Americans
Anonymous , / October 2025
Political Split/Imbalance
Charlie Kirk
Political Divide/Demonization of Parties
Dainsleif , Naples, FL / October 21, 2025
Infection
Bubonic Plague
Jewish People
Nancy , Tronoto, Ontario, Canada / October 2025
Destruction of Catholicism
Protestant Iconoclasm
Calvinist/Protestants
Casey C. , Los Angeles, CA / October 2025
Economy/Safety/Jobs
Donald Trump and White Supremacy
Immigrants
Paige , / October 2025
The "Other"
Trump Administration
POC and Snatching POC off the Streets
Alannah K. , Austin, TX / October 2025
Economy Being Bad
Trump in Office/Evil Politicians
Immigrants/Low-Represented Communities
Emily , NY / October 2025
China/Chinese Things
COVID
Chinese People
Flo , Scotland / October 2025
Societal Change
Trump Presidency
Immigrants
Darla , Pittsburgh, PA / October 2025
Community
Trump
Immigrants
Kimberley , AZ / October 2025
Gun Violence
Charlie Kirk Death
Democrats
Charlie , UT / October 16, 2025
Impoverishment
Declining Economy in Germany
German Jews and Jews of Eastern Europe
Nancy , Toronto, Ontario, Canada / October 2025
Democrats
MAGA
ANTIFA
Summer , AZ / October 2025
Responsibility
Women
All Men
Juliet B. , Dallas, TX / October 14, 2025
MAGA
Trump/ICE
Immigrants
Jessica , Elizabethtown, KY / October 2025
Moral Panic
Current Administration
Immigrants/LGBTQIA+
Anonymous , / October 2025
Paying for Other People's Privileges
Trump/GOP/MAGA
Immigrants
Kimber T. , PA / October 11, 2025
Immigration
Trump
Innocent People Being Imprisoned, Tortured, Killed
Courtney , Pittsburgh, PA / October 2025
Economic Instability
Immigration
People of Color
Tania , / October 2025
Worse Economy
Job Shortage
Latinos
Anonymous , / October 2025
Children Being Harmed
Criminal Offenses Perpetrated by Teachers
Teachers Who Value Children and Education
Sarah , IL / October 9, 2025
Democrats
Donald Trump and His Followers
Freedom/Losing Freedom and All We Fought For
Nicola , New York City, NY / October 2025
Loss of Gay Rights/Minority Rights
LGBTQ/Liberals/Atheists
Christians
Anonymous , OH / October 8, 2025
Infection
Measles
Unvaccinated People
Tiffany K. , Columbus, OH / October 8, 2025
Poverty
Lack of Jobs
Immigrants
Eleanor W. , UK / October 2025
ANTIFA in PDX
Fox Recycled Footage and AI
Anti-Fascists/Executive Order 9/22/2025
Jak , Portland, OR / October 2025
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
MAGA/Trump
Democracy
Jessi , Atascadero, CA / October 2025
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims
Mason H. , New York, NY / October 6, 2025
Losing Controlling Power
Trump
Conservatives
Richard , FL / October 6, 2025
Doomscrolling
Processed Foods
Autism
Maryann , Dallas, TX / October 2025
"The Other"
ICE
Immigrants
Amelia , / October 2025
Patriarchy Losing Dominance
Social Media and Men are Trash Discourse
Trans Folks and Women's Rights
Tara , Swansea, Wales / October 2025
COVID
Hate Crimes
Asian Americans
Christopher J. , Rolling Meadows, IL / October 5, 2025
Poverty and Loss of Jobs
Recessions or Major Losses in Jobs
Immigrants
Angel , NC / October 5, 2025
Chaos
People Being Overthrown
The Mandate of Heaven/Gods
Riley , Madison, CT / October 2025
Loss of Power
White Nationalism
Immigrants/People of Color
Barbara , SC / October 2025
COVID-19
Media
Unvaccinated
Deidter , West Grey, ON, Canada / October 2025
Catholic Church
Anabaptist Takeover of Munster
Hundreds of Innocents Executed
Avery , Madison, CT / October 2025
Infection
COVID
Chinese/Asian Americans
Aliya , Boston, MA / October 2025
Diversity/White People Being Scared of Change
MAGA/Donald Trump
Immigrants
Nat , Dorchester, MA / October 2025
Immigrants
Trumpism
Civil Rights and Loss of Them
Anonymous , / October 2025
ICE Agents Hunting
Latinos and Others
Immigrants
Lorri , San Diego, CA / October 2025
Feeling Uncomfortable
Learning the Truth about History
History Teachers/Public Education
Chelsey , UT / October 3, 2025
Different Skin Color/Ethnicity
Donald Trump and Stephen Miller
Immigrants
Jeanette , Lexington, KY / October 2025
Immigrants
"Lunatic Leftists"
Democrats
Louise , Sarasota, FL / October 2025
Vaccine
RFK Jr.
Vulnerable People in Community
Anonymous , / October 2025
Clostrophobe
Surpopulation
Les Gens Faisant Trop Enfants
Anonymous , Terre / October 1, 2025
Animaux
Chat Prennent le Pouvoir
Chat
Anonymous , Terre / October 1, 2025
People Who are Different
Republicans/Trump Administration
LGBTQA+ Community
Chelsea , Albuquerque, NM / September 2025
Loss of White Privilege/Social and Political Accountability
Increased Recognition of Human Rights
People of Color/Marginalized Communities/Feminism
Sabra , Brooklyn, NY / September 2025
Cuts
Social Security
Poorness
Paula , Tiffin, OH / September 29, 2025
Trump
Lies
Liberals
Paula , Tiffin, OH / September 29, 2025
China
COVID-19
Asian Americans
Prachi , Philadelphia, PA / September 2025
Fascist Takeover
Gains by Conservative Parties in Elections
Conservatives
Carter , MA / September 28, 2025
Autism
Trump
Tylenol
Anonymous , KS / September 2025
Getting Sick
Social Media Influencers
Experts
Anonymous , Bronx, NY / September 27, 2025
Scarcity/Poverty
Rise of Hitler
Jews
Anonymous , / September 2025
Public Health
COVID
Asian Hate/Agoraphobia
Samantha, Amanda, and Autumn , Las Vegas, NV / September 2025
National Security
9/11
Islam/Islamophobia
Samantha, Amanda, and Autumn , Las Vegas, NV / September 2025
Crime
Donald Trump
Illegal Aliens
Maria , Malone, NY / September 2025
Reaping What You Sew
Charlie Kirk Shooting
Leftists
Joe , MA / September 2025
Children "Becoming" Gay/Trans
Trump Admin/MAGA
Minority Communities/Women/Queer People
Paige , New Haven, CT / September 2025
Crime
Trump
Immigrants
Cassandra , Sunrise, FL / September 2025
Multiculturalism/Change
Diversification/Poor Economy
Immigrants/Migrants
Tara , UK / September 2025
Loss of Freedom of Speech
Trump's Threats to Silence Anyone Who Disagrees with Him
Cancellation of Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel
Carl , MN / September 25, 2025
Culture
Racist Rhetoric
Immigrants
Priscilla , Mesa, AZ / September 2025
Crosses
Bible
Non-Believers
Isabella R. , MA / September 24, 2025
Trump
ICE
People from Mexico
Steven , NJ / September 24, 2025
ICE Deportations
Economic Inflation
Donald J. Trump
Alfonso , NJ / September 24, 2025
Witches
Greed
Women with Careers
Anonymous , MI / September 23, 2025
Accountability/Unwilling to Change
Feminism
Women
Ellesha , UK / September 2025
Indoctrination
Different Things at School
Teachers
Lorrissa , MI / September 22, 2025
Criminals
Politics
Immigrants
Astrid , Austin, TX / September 21, 2025
People Being Different
People Looking for Something to be Mad About
Trans People
Kevin , Milford, MA / September 19, 2025
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims
Neb , New York, NY / September 19, 2025
Honesty and Personal Insecurity
Donald Trump
Democracy
Sue , PA / September 19, 2025
Evil in the World
Democrats/News
Donald Trump
JL , KY / September 18, 2025
Genocide
Trump
Sad Males
Arielle R. , Albuquerque, NM / September 16, 2025
Loss of American Values
Trump
Immigrants
Kurt , Orlando, FL / September 2025
Death
Enemies
Witchcraft
Hailey , MI / September 15, 2025
Spiders
Donald Trump
Gay People
Shanetha , Chicago, IL / September 15, 2025
Crime
Trump's Rhetoric/Laken Riley
Immigrants
Alyssa , Boston, MA / September 2025
Muslims/Religions
9/11
Muslim Americans
Ray , West Orange, NJ / September 2025
A Trans Person Conducting a Mass Shooting
Bigotry and Seeing Yet Another Cis, White, Man Killing Someone
Still Trans People Somehow
Anonymous , MA / September 2025
God's Wrath
The Mistranslated Bible
LGBTQ+ Community
Anonymous , KY / September 14, 2025
Crime and Gun Violence
Donald Trump's Mass Deportation Legislations
Those of Mexican Descent
Anonymous , USA / September 14, 2025
Terrorism
9/11 Attacks
Muslims
Anonymous , USA / September 14, 2025
Die Angst Man Selbst Zu Sein
Menschen
Man Selbst
Martyna , Stuttgart, Germany / September 13, 2025
The Economy and Loss of Power Within Germany as a Whole
Hitler and the Fascist Regime
Minorities; Mainly the Jewish and Communist
Parsons , KY / September 12, 2025
Guns
Trump
Iran
Steven , KY / September 12, 2025
Inequality
President Trump
Wealthy People
Anonymous , / September 2025
Bodily Autonomy
Abortion
Women
Angela and Pacheco , CA / September 12, 2025
Transphobia
J.K. Rowling
Trans Women
Judy , Chicago, IL / September 11, 2025
Death of Livestock
Predation
Grey Wolves
Jacob S. , KY / September 10, 2025
Islam
9/11
Saddam Hussain
Anonymous , / September 2025
Trump
Race and Retaliation
Immigrants
Diane , NY / September 10, 2025
Trans People
J.K. Rowling
Trans Lives
Zoelle N. , / September 2025
Loss of Values and Poverty
Immigration
Donald Trump
Anonymous , / September 2025
Trump
ICE
Everyone and Even White People
Mary , AZ / September 10, 2025
Terrorism
9/11
Middle Eastern People
Roxanne , NYC / September 8, 2025
Differnces
Donald Trump
Anyone That Doesn't Agree W/Him
Anonymous , / September 2025
Crime/Inflation
Immigrants
Hispanics/Latin Americans
Sarahi , West Bountiful, UT / September 2025
WWII
Zoot Suite Riot
Latin Americans
Monique N. , Cherry Valley, MA / September 2025
Past History
Current Left Wing Beliefs
Christians of Today
Anonymous , / September 2025
Job Scarcity
Corporate Greed/Pay Not Keeping Up with Productivity
Women with Careers
Anonymous , Detroit, MI / September 6, 2025
Speaking/Body Image
Parents
Myself
Linda , IL / September 6, 2025
Guns
Mental Health
Gun Owners
Savannah , RI / September 2025
Crime
Trump
Immigrants
Carmen , Chicago, IL / September 2025
War with Iran
Trump
Iran/Democrats
Anonymous , / September 5, 2025
Terrorism
History
People of Color
Ava , CA / September 5, 2025
Crime
Trump
Hispanics and Foreigners
Tobi , Chesterfield, VA / September 5, 2025
Decline of US Economy
Donald J. Trump
Mexican Americans
Donald , America / September 5, 2025
Immigration
Trump
Hispanics
Gio , IA / September 5, 2025
Bodily Autonomy
Abortion
Women
Angela , Pacheco, CA / September 5, 2025
Terrorism
Pearl Harbor
Japanese
Anonymous , HI / September 5, 2025
Immigration
Far Right
Outlander Persecution
JM , TX / September 2025
Job Losses
Immigration
ICE
Paola , NYC / September 2025
Critical Thinking/Rejection of Tradition
Book Bans
Librarians and Teachers
Alana , Branford, CT / August 2025
Bad Economy
Political System/Class Warfare
Trans and LGBTQ/Immigrants/PoC
Janine , New Rochelle, NY / August 2025
Mass Migration
Climate Chagne
Immigrants
Jennifer , Knoxville, TN / September 2025
Loss of Racial Supremacy
Economic Downturn
Immigrant Community
Anonymous , / September 2025
End of the World
COVID-19
China
Tina , MO / September 2025
Crimes
Trump
Immigrants
Anonymous , GA / September 2, 2025
Ghosts
Darkness
Lonely Women
Madhavi , India / September 2025
Economic Precarity
Republican Propaganda
Transgender People
Bev , CA / September 2025
Terrorism
9/11
The Desi Population of America
Tyler S. , Franklin Square, NY / August 2025
Morality
Judgment
Trump
Demitri , CA / August 30, 2025
Extensive Drugs and Terror in the United States
Other Countries and Cultures/Drug Culture in the US
A Church Woman Being Imprisoned/Creating Further Mental Instability
Karin G. , AR / August 30, 2025
Financial Collapse
Government Spending
Elon Musk
AL , TX / August 30, 2025
Health Accountability
Pharmaceutical Industry
Robert Kennedy Jr
Annie , GA / August 30, 2025
Crime
Trump
Immigrants
Maren , Berwick, ME / August 2025
Loss of Control
Knowledge
Women's Rights
Colleen , New Orleans, LA / August 2025
Cost of Living and Wars
Economy Struggling
Migrants and Trans People
Alicia C. , NY / August 2025
Economic Uncertainty
The Right/Trump
Immigrants
Mara , Dallas, TX / August 2025
Inflation/Loss of Place/Status for White Men
Trump and Musk
Immigrants and Government Workers
Maggie , Ipswich, MA / August 2025
Betrayal and Genocide
October 7th, 2024 / September 11th, 2001
Palestine, Muslims, Islam, and Genocide
Anonymous , MA / August 28, 2025
Loss of White Privilege
MAGA
Immigrants
Karen , St. Louis, MO / August 28, 2025
Economic Decline
President Trump
Immigrants/Aliens
Ronald , France / August 2025
Drugs/Crime/Jobs
Trump Re-Elected
Legal Citizens of ICE Raids
Anonymous , NY / August 1, 2025
COVID-19
Origination from China
Asian Americans
Jaden , Chicago, IL / August 2025
Outgroup (Others)
Donald Trump
Immigrants
K. Brewer , OH / August 2025
LGBTQ+ Community
Republicans/Conservatives
LGBTQ+ Peoples
Ace , MI / August 20, 2025
Political Instability
Cultural Differences
Vulnerable Communities
Sophie , Wilmington, MA / August 2025
Changes in Japan
1923 Great Kanto Earthquake
Koreans Living in Tokyo
Mark , CA / August 2025
Climate Change/Refugees
Trump
Immigrants
Claudia , MA / August 2025
Toupees
Bald Men
Men Over 50 with Hair
Anonymous , PA / August 21, 2025
"Crime and Border"
Trump
Hispanic Community
Alayna , Newington, CT / August 2025
Inhumanity/Loss of Reality
Social Media
Everyone Standing by Recording Violent Acts and Doing Nothing to Help Others
Burr , FL / August 20, 2025
Breaking the Sanctity of Marriage
Donald Trump
LGBTQ+ Community
Isabelle , NY / August 2025
Drugs and Criminals
Propaganda by Republicans
Hispanics Profiled by ICE
Anonymous , / August 2025
War, Poverty
Economic Uncertainty
Latin American Immigrants
Jazmine , North Las Vegas, NV / August 2025
Xenophobia/Diversity
Donald Trump and Christian Nationalism
Anti-Immigrant Witch Hunt
Emmy , / August 2025
Immigrants
Trump/GOP
Immigrants
Harlene , Chicago, IL / August 2025
Sexual Abuse in Catholic Church
Reports
Gay Men
Miarella , Chicago, IL / August 2025
Job Loss and Economic Depression
Immigrants
ICE
Anonymous , / August 2025
General Fear
Politics/Trump/Hate Speech
Trans People
Carissa , / August 2025
Endless Crisis
Javier Milei
Pensioners, The Sick, Public Workers, and Social Aid Recipients
Gustavo , Argentina / August 17, 2025
Religious Right Wing
Trump
Trans People
Anonymous , / August 2025
The "Other"
Trump's Election
Immigrants Disappearing
Anonymous , NJ / August 2025
Equality
Trump
Immigrants
Amanda M. , Liverpool, NY / August 2025
Loss of Power
Trump
Immigrants
Joey , / August 2025