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

Globalism/Loss of American Identity

Flood of Immigrants from South American

Immigrants (Undocumented)

Anonymous , Manistee, MI / July 2025

Crime

Trump

Hispanics and Foreigners

Tobi , Chesterfield, VA / July 2025

Upending of Traditional Gender

LGBTQIA+ Community

Trans People

Meg , MA / July 2025

Loss of Rights

History

People of Color

Stephanie , Melville, NY / July 2025

Economic Downturn

Trump

Immigrants

Al , Boston, MA / July 4, 2025

Terrorism

9/11 Attacks

Muslim People

Mick , Anoka, MN / June 2025

Criminals Stealing Jobs

Look and Sound Different from White Majority

Immigrants

Marie , Ramsey, MN / June 2025

"Liberal Agenda"

Donald Trump Presidency

Democrats

Lainey B. , Tallahassee, FL / June 2025

Spread of Misinformation

Uneducated People

Conservatives/Republicans/Our President

Jen , Atlanta, GA / July 2, 2025

Spread of Unnecessary Illness

Antivaxers/Unvaccinated People

Infants/Elderly/Those with Weakened Immune Systems

Jen , Atlanta, GA / July 2, 2025

Worsening Economy

Election of Trump

Persecution of Immigrants

Franklin , Raleigh, NC / July 2025

The Unknown

Unfamiliarity

Cultures Other Than Our Own

George W. , OH / July 1, 2025

Moral Decline

Roe v. Wade

Women

Anonymous , MA / July 2025

Loss of National Identity

Trump

Immigrants

Kendra , Mansfield, OH / July 2025

COVID/Pandemic

Misinformation

Chinese

Heidi , Vero Beach, FL / June 2025

Middle East

Sept. 11

Muslims

Sarah , Chicago, IL / June 2025

Getting Sick

COVID-19

Blaming Chinese People

Emmalina , AZ / June 2025

Fear of Losing Jobs/Poverty

Trigger of Trump

"Illegal Immigrants"

Kelly , New York City, NY / June 2025

WWII

Hitler Declared Jews Were Lesser

Jews and Death to People

Nikolas , AZ / June 2025

Dangerous Country

Illegal Immigrants

People of Color and Mexican People

Cadence , AZ / June 2025

Job Loss

Economic Downturn

Immigrants

David W. , Marysville, OH / June 2025

People of Color

Bad Economy

Immigrants

Stef W. , MA / June 2025

Invasion

MAGA

Immigrants

Raquel H. , DE / June 2025

Job Loss, Terrorism, Changing View of US

Influx of Migrants/Border Issues

Undocumented Migrants

Madison , Magnolia, NJ / June 2025

American Economy/Jobs

Trump

Immigrants/POC

Caitlyn , Orlando, FL / June 2025

Fraud, Waste, Abuse of Taxes

Fentanyl Crisis

Undocumented Immigrants

Kelli , IL / June 2025

Politics

Trump

Legal Citizens Deportation

Angel C. , St. Louis, MO / June 2025

Poverty/Helplessness

Border Crisis/Unemployment

MAGA

Mary , PA / June 2025

Terrorists and Muslims

Visible Muslims

Women W/ Hijab

Shabana H. , Corona, CA / June 2025

Deportations

Crime

Immigrants

Ann , CO / June 2025

Crime

Trump

Immigrants

Josh , Chicago, IL / June 2025

God/Devil

Catholic Church

Gay Europeans and Women

Anonymous , Knoxville, TN / June 2025

Terrorists

9/11 Attack

Muslim/Islamic Individuals

Bianca , San Antonio, TX / June 2025

Economic Uncertainty

Exclusion from Elite Class

Jews

Caroline B. , Melbourne, Australia / June 2025

Islam

9/11

All Muslims

Chase , College Station, TX / June 2025

Minorities/The "Other"

Rampant Bigots and Misinformation

LGBT/Trans Community

Jack , Somerset, MA / June 2025

Muslim People

Government (US/Israel)

Palestinian People

William N. , Bellmore, NY / June 2025

Law Enforcement Proven to Be Corrupt

Suspicious Death of a Police Officer

Karen Read

Anonymous , MA / June 2025

Jews Taking Over

Loss of Money and Hitler's Rants

Jews and the Holocaust

Deena , Harleysville, PA / June 2025

People Not from Their Country

Trump

Immigrants and Being Denied Due Process of Law

Alexa and Adrianna , Orlando, FL / June 2025

Economic Failure

Hitler

Jews, Gypsies, Gay Community

Arabella , Laredo, TX / June 2025

Crime

FOX News Fake Reporting

Racial Profiling and All Immigrants Subject to ICE and Deportation

Laura J. , MI / June 21, 2025

Loss of Way of Life

Trump

Immigrants

Duane , Houston, TX / June 2025

Black Cats

Witches With THem

Cats Considered Bad Luck or Evil Spirits

Ella Rae H. , Houston, TX / June 2025

Crime/Economy

Donald Trump/White Supremacy

Hispanic Community

Jonathan , Cypress, CA / June 2025

Loss

Trump

Deporting Immigrants

Johanna B. , Maplewood, NJ / June 2025

Immigrants

Murder/Taking Jobs

Mass Deportation of Immigrants

Savannah , Noblesville, IN / June 2025

Difference

Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta, Canada

Trans People and Anti-Trans Legislation

Del , Edmonton, Albert, Canada / June 2025

Crime/Being Unsafe

ICE

Separating Families/Unlawful Deportation

Lexi , Cincinnati, OH / June 2025

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

Power

Trump

Migrants

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

Loss of Power of the Patriarchy

Changing Gender Norms

Trans People

Sarah , Atlanta, GA / June 10, 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

WWI

Hitler

Jews and Holocaust

Hannah-Lynn , Provo, UT / June 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

Submit a Witch Hunt

Scapegoat
Example: for Massachusetts, put in MA