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
Being Of Hispanic Heritage
ICE
Being Deported
Anonymous , NJ / May 2026
Unemployment & Poverty
Trump, Misogyny, & White Supremacy
Immigrants
Madhura , Durham, NC / May 2026
Rapid Changes, AI & Climate
Billionaires & Trump
Trans People & Immigrants
Irene , Strafford, NH / September 2025
Democrats
Charlie Kirk's Assassination
Mass Firing Of Citizens Speaking Out
Madeline , Mobile, AL / May 2026
Displacement/Loss Of Power
White Supremacy
Immigrants
Danielle L. , Denver, CO / June 2026
Rising Crime & General Uncertainty
Mass Deportations
Immigrants
Will , New York, NY / June 2026
Different & Dangerous People
Donald Trump
Immigrants
Josephine , Fullerton, CA / June 2026
Pandemic & War
President Trump
Immigrants
Carl B. , MD / June 2026
Economic Worries & AI
Billionaires & Trump
Immigrants
Irene , Strafford, NH / September 2025
Losing In 2028
Donald Trump
Americans Who Disagree
Eric C. , AK / September 2025
Flood Control
President Marcos
DPWH
Roniel J. , Philippines / May 2026
Infection
Covid-19
Asian Community
Haley , Lakeland, FL / May 2026
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims
Keane , / May 2026
Taking Jobs & More Crime
Politicians
Immigrants
Laurie , PA / October 2025
Social Standing
Economic Loss
Immigrants
Chase , Anchorage, AK / May 2026
Women
Sex Work
Feminism
Lauren , Cypress, TX / May 2026
Disease/AIDS
AIDS/HIV
Gay Men
Anonymous , MD / May 2026
WWIII
Trump's Actions
All Other Republicans
Sawyer F. , CA / May 2026
Losing "Promised Land"
Genocide
Palestinians
Sofia , Chicago, IL / May 2026
Covid Infection
Media Conspiracies
Chinese
Kim , Chicaw, FL / May 2026
Dog Bites
Dogs Displayed On TV
Pit Bulls & Pit Bull Looking Dogs
Monica W. , Palos Hills, IL / May 2026
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims
Megan , Fairport, NY / May 2026
Covid
Wuhan Origin Story
Racism Against Chinese Americans
Anonymous , Boston, MA / May 2026
Economic Challenges
Trump Elected
Immigrants, People Of Color, & LGBT+
Pennie B. , Apple Valley, MN / September 2025
Patriarchy Challenged
Changes In Gender Dynamics & Expressions
Trans & NB People Targeted
Sarah , Salem, MA / September 2025
Child Abuse
Conservative Opportunists
LGBT People
Jacob , Oak Park, CA / October 2025
Infection
Covid
Unvaccinated
D. Johnson , Chardon, OH / September 2025
Abuse Of Girls/Women
Asian Grooming Gangs
Immigrants
Anonymous , London, England / May 2026
Being Killed In WWlll If It Happens
Trump's Actions
America & Iran
Nolan F. , Huntington Beach, CA / May 2026
Economic Fear
Trump
Immigrant Raids
Mariana , / May 2026
Disease
China Being The Birthplace Of Covid-19
Asian People Being Hated/Feared
Axel , Visalia, CA / May 2026
Basic Human Rights
The Government
Minorites Are The 'Problem'
Tessa , Bethel, CT / May 2026
Crime
Immigration
ICE's Abuse Of Power
Morgan , Reno, NV / May 2026
Rules & Regulations
President Trump
Conservative Republicans
Debra , Florence, MA / May 2026
Immigrants
Political Rhetoric
Undocumented Immigrants
Juli , MA / May 2026
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims
Omar , Boston, MA / May 2026
Difference
Rapid Social Change
Trans Community
Christine D. , WA / May 2026
Difference
Economic Uncertainty
Immigrants
Christine D. , WA / May 2026
Declining Job Market
2016 Election
Immigrants
Skyelar , Huntington, WV / May 2026
Fall Of Nuclear Family & Values
Trans People & LGBT
People Living Normally
Riley , / May 2026
Change
Republican Party
Trans People Persecuted
Amber , Denver, CO / May 2026
Men Fearful Of Losing Power
Women Gaining Power
All Women
Nancy , Tyler, TX / May 2026
Loss Of Property
Economic Recession
Immigrants
Mario S. , Wooster, OH / May 2026
Lack Of Economic/Employment Opportunities
Economic Decline
Immigrants
Anna , Worcester, MA / May 2026
Cultural Wars
Far Right Media/Influencers
Those With Opposing Views
Anonymous , USA / May 2026
Lawsuits/Fines
2 Dead Plovers
Dogs On Beaches
Holly , Truro, MA / March 2026
National Weakness Of France
Military "Gordereau" Leak
Alfred Dreyfus & French Jews
Daniel , Washington, DC / April 2026
Conspiracy Theories
Social Media Disinformation
Conservative Christians Labeled As Extremists
Anonymous , PA / May 2026
Economic Fear
Job Loss
Immigrants Blamed For Taking Jobs
Steven , Jacksonville, FL / May 2026
Covid 19
Trump
Chinese People
Anonymous , / May 2026
Economic Hardship
Trump
Persecution Of Immigrants
Jessica , NY / May 2026
Non-Christians
9/11
All Of Islam
Travis , Plainville, CT / May 2026
Crime
Trump
Hispanic Community
Amir , Irvine, CA / May 2026
Declining Social Cohesion
Rapid Cultural Change
Christians Portrayed As Intolerant Or Dangerous
Anonymous , PA / May 2026
Homelessness
Housing Crisis
Immigrants
Deli , CA / May 2026
Undocumented Immigrants
MAGA Propaganda
Hispanic Community
Karley , CA / May 2026
Terrorist
911
Muslims
Jodi , SC / May 2026
Inflation & Tariffs
Trump
The American Consumer
Lael W. , NY / May 2026
Lack Of Access To Resources
Hyperinflation
Independent Companies
Anna , CA / May 2026
Immigration
Trump
Deported
Anonymous , / May 2026
Progressive Ideology
Transphobia
2024 Trans Ban On Military Service
Brianna , Fort Drum, NY / May 2026
Losing Christian Tradition
Rise Of Alternative Living Styles
Persecuted/Discriminated Minorities
Brenden , Madison, WI / May 2026
Multiculturalism (Moors, Jews)
Spanish Inquisition/Alhambra Decree
Jews, Muslims, Other Non-Christians
Jordyn , Fitchburg, WI / May 2026
Crime Increase
Donald Trump
Immigrants
Sierra , / May 2026
Infection/Drug Overdose
Opioid Epidemic
Homeless/Unhoused Individuals
Blu , Vancouver, WA / May 2026
Economic Uncertainty
Donald Trump
Immigrants and Hispanics Harassed And Persecuted
Anonymous , / May 2026
Muslims
9/11
Islamophobia
Abby , Long Beach, CA / May 2026
Loss Of Power
Diversity
Anyone Not White/Male/Christian
Kristi , FL / May 2026
Illness
Covid
Killing Of Asian Women
Anonymous , / May 2026
Epidemic
Covid-19
Chinese/Bats
Simon , / May 2026
China
Covid-19
Asian Americans
Berny , Union, NJ / April 2026
Covid
Propaganda
Unvaccinated
Anonymous , / April 2026
Racism
Trump
ICE
Anonymous , / April 2026
Nuclear War
Donald Trump/MAGA
Trans People
Anonymous , / April 2026
Fear Of Change
Trump
Immigrant
Anonymous , / April 2026
Loss Of WW1
Hitler
Jews
Jack , / April 2026
Economic/Moral Collapse
9/11, Trump, Rise Of Christian Nationalism
Anyone Who Isn't White, Straight, Christian
Amanda , Kenosha, WI / April 2026
Minorities
President Trump
Mexican Illegal Immigrants
Isabel L. , Tyler, TX / April 2026
Crime
Recession
Immigrants
Michelle , Concord, NH / April 2026
Misunderstanding
Fear
Disability Community
Ally K. , Westminster, CO / April 2026
Minorities
Trump
Current Events
J. R. , CA / April 2026
People That Look Different
Political Motive
Immigrants Being Targeted
Yaoca , / April 2026
Technology
Disruption Of Economy
Demonization Of Immigrants
Mara , NY / April 2026
Poverty
Right-Wing Media
Immigrants
Steve , NY / April 2026
A Changing World
Internet Lies
Immigrants
Wyatt , Quakertown, PA / April 2026
Undocumented Get Special Treatment
Donald Trump
Anyone Not Male/White/Rich
Ali , Payson, UT / April 2026
Illegals
Bad People
People Who Are Black
BJ , CA / April 2026
Covid-19
Media
Unvaccinated
Josh , CA / April 2026
Frogs
Economy
Anything Slimy
Logan R. , Goose Creek, SC / April 2026
Losing Wealth Opportunities From Fossil Fuels
Global Warming And Efforts To Stop Or Reverse It
EPA, Climate Scientists, Liberals, Progressives
CC , San Diego, CA / April 2026
Mass Hysteria
Accusations
Everyone
Anonymous , Salem, MA / April 2026
Climate change
Droughts And Storms
The Ultra Wealthy
Sapphire , New Zealand / April 2026
Immigrants Are Evil
One Percent Brown People Commit a Few Crimes
Non-White
Tuyet , Nashville, TN / April 2026
God/Devil
Jesus Christ
Jesus Is Crucified
Cooper , AL / April 2026
Public Shame
J. Walk
Report Community
Isaac , / April 2026
Ignorance/Brown Bodies
Shrinking Middle Class
Killing Palestinians, Iranians, & Lebanese
Anonymous , / April 2026
Colonizers/Settlers
Resistance To Colonization
Indigenous People "Primitive"
Sharise , Brooklyn, NY / April 2026
Witchcraft
Child Reports Abuse To The Police
Parents
Steve , Scotland / April 2026
Immigration
Economy
Education Level
Rachel , Beverly, MA / November 2024
White Culture Being Forgotten
Donald Trump
Immigrants & POC
Alexis , Hyde Park, NY / November 2024
Palestinian Occupation
Israeli Government
Genocide & Ethnic Cleansing Of Palestinians
Janan , San Francisco, CA / April 2026
Disease
Covid-19
The Asian Community
Anonymous , / April 2026
Anyone Who Doesn't Go Along With MAGA Movement
Trump & Conspiracy Theories
Immigrants & Anyone Who Doesn't Agree
Anonymous , / April 2026
Immigration
Donald Trump
Wrongful Deportation
Anonymous , / April 2026
Economy
Trump
Jews
Anonymous , / April 2026
Racism
Immigration
ICE Kidnapping Brown People & Non-English Speakers
Amy , CA / April 2026
"Facism"
President Trump Elected
Conservative Republicans
Anonymous , / April 2026
Indigenous People
Colonization and Disputes
Indigenous Land Stolen and Forced Assimilation
Hugh , / April 2026
Financial Turmoil In Germany
Adolf Hitler
The Holocaust
Eli , / April 2026
Taking Jobs
Trump
Immigrants
Ben , / April 2026
Being Arrested
ICE
Immigrants
Ian , Cambridge, MA / April 2026
Nuclear Bombs
Air Strikes
Trump Attacks Iran
Ishaan , / April 2026
Immigrants
Trump/ICE
Brown People
Anonymous , / April 2026
Kidnappers
Bad People
People Who Are Black
Amanda , / April 2026
Illegals
Trump
Brown People
Amanda , / April 2026
Illegal People
Trump/ICE
People Of Color
Anonymous , / April 2026
Illegal
Trump and ICE
Brown People
Anonymous , / April 2026
Illegals In Our Country
Trump & His Ideas
People Of Color
Anonymous , / April 2026
Illegal People
Trump & ICE
People Of Color
Charlotte , / April 2026
Communism
McCarthy
Lavender Scare
Jo , Windsor, CT / April 2026
Economic Insecurity
Recession
Migrants and Foreigners
Alexander , Pittsburgh, PA / April 2026
Change
Trump
Immigrants
Cindi , Euless, TX / April 2026
Immigrants
Trump
ICE Assaults
Tammy , Minneapolis, MN / April 2026
Oil & Other Resources
Colonizers
Muslim Countries & Other Immigrants
Noor , Ithaca, NY / April 2026
Covid-19
Loved Ones Dying
Chinese People Harmed
Anonymous , / April 2026
Change
New Understandings
LBGT+ People, Especially Genderfluid, Trans, and Nonbinary People
James , Millburn, NJ / April 2026
Poor Economy
Donald Trump
Joe Biden/Obama
Angela , Walnut, CA / April 2026
Jews
Hitler
Holocaust
Chance , WI / April 2026
Economic Pressure
Trump Directing Blame & ICE
Immigrants Being Targeted/Deported
Esme , San Diego, CA / April 2026
Economic Decline
Immigrants
ICE Raids On US Cities
Hillary , Manteca, CA / April 2026
Economic Uncertainty
Trump
Immigrants
Grace , Dorchester, MA / April 2026
Poverty
White Culture Decay
Migrants
Francisco , Mexico / April 2026
Terrorists/Islam
Israel Attack October 7th
Bombing Of Palestinians In Gaza
Shumona , Orlando, FL / April 2026
Disease
Covid-19 & Politics
Chinese Racism
Emily , NJ / April 2026
Infection
Covid-19
Asians
Ami , / April 2026
Infection
Covid
Asian Communities
Viviene , Queens, NY / April 2026
Jewish Faith
Propaganda
Jews
Maxwell , West Covina, CA / April 2026
Anti-Semitism
October 7th
Pro-Palestinian Crowd/Arabs
Jeremy , Nashville, TN / April 2026
Immigrantion
Donald Trump
ICE
Jordan , Bremerton, WA / April 2026
Disenfranchised People
Immigrants
ICE Deportations/Abductions
Bill , Leominster, MA / April 2026
Being Attacked by Native Americans
One Group Attacking
Fear Of All Native Americans
Alex , MA / April 2026
Autism
More Cases Of Autism
Blaming Covid Vaccines
Raina , / April 2026
Asians Taking Jobs
More Asians Coming
Chinese/or Anyone That Looks Chinese
Vesta , / April 2026
Others Coming To US
Trump
Immigrants
June , / April 2026
People Who Are Different
Hitler & His Army
Jewish People
Irene , Boston, MA / April 2026
"Undocumented Citizens"
The Economy Shutting Down
Anyone Who Looks Like an Immigrant
Hailey , / April 2026
ICE
Donald Trump
Immigrants
Anonymous , / April 2026
ICE
Donald Trump
Immigrants
Chloe , / April 2026
Crime
ICE
Immigrants
Richard , / April 2026
Trump Not Being President
Election
Government
Anonymous , / April 2026
Being Attacked by Native Americans
Attacked by Some Groups
All Native Groups
Adam , / April 2026
Others Being in Country
Trump
ICE
Naeve , / April 2026
Communication
Community
Phones
Maria J. , ID / April 2026
Economic Desperation
Globalization/Migration
White Nationalism/Mass Deportation
Bella , Boston, MA / April 2026
Vehicle Crash
18 Wheelers
Truckers
Kaedan , IL / April 2026
Disconnection from Source
Narcissistic Abuse
Authenticity
Em , MA / April 2026
The Holocaust
Bad Economy (Germany)
Jewish People
Julius , / April 2026
Trump
Violence
War
Braeden , / April 2026
Immigrants
The Government
People Being Deported
Hazel , / April 2026
Iranian Nuclear Weapons
America Losing Power
Iran
Anonymous , / April 2026
Oppressed People Learning They Don't Feel Good Being Oppressed
Transgender Kids Seeking Care
Therapists
Catherine Estey , MA / April 2026
Social Collapse from Irreconcilable Differences
Refusal to Participate in Outrage
Gen X
Matt , AZ / April 2026
Infection
Covid
Unvaccinated People
Preston Hillie , Boston, MA / April 2026
Poverty
Trump/Maga
Immigrants
Jeanine M Harris , MA / April 2026
Economic Hardship
MAGA Movement
Immigrants
Anonymous , / March 2026
Economic Insecurity
Fascist Rhetoric & Billionaires Exploiting Us
Persecution of Immigrants by ICE
Aida , San Antonio, TX / March 2026
Economic Instability
Donald Trump/Maga
Marginalized Communities
Jamie , Riverside, CA / March 2026
Abnormal Children
More Diagnoses
Autistic People
Jack , CA / March 2026
Fact Based Truths
Democrats Never Taking Responsibility
Trump/ICE
Anonymous , United States / March 2026
Sexual Assault
Gender & Bathrooms
Trans Community
Andrew , CA / March 2026
Invasion/Americanization
Hitler
Jewish People
Abby , NJ / March 2026
Immigrants
Trump/Fear of Demographic Change
ICE Repression
Anonymous , / March 2026
Losing White Supremacy
Economic Instability
Immigrants
Anonymous , NM / March 2026
Job Loss and Economic Insecurity
Political Debates About Immigration
Immigrants
Anonymous , CA / March 2026
Immigrants/War in Iran
Trump/MAGA
Immigrants/Women
J. Stafford , Bedford, NY / March 2026
Black and Brown People
Trump
Cutting DEI Programs
Mark , ME / March 2026
Communism and Homosexuality
President Truman's 1947 Executive Order
Homosexuals in the U.S Government
Anonymous , WV / March 2026
Poverty
Post World War I
Jewish People
Eleanor , Westford, MA / March 2026
Crime/Terrorism
Trump
Immigrants
Kaelyn , Quincy, MA / March 2026
Terrorists
9/11
Muslims
Ryan , Chicago, IL / March 2026
Financial Insecurity
Political Turmoil
Immigrants
Amanda , Andover, MA / March 2026
Economy/Job Market
Donald Trump
Immigrants
Anonymous , / March 2026
Anyone that Challenges the Status Quo
"We've Always Done It that Way"
Vegans
Vicky , Warrington, PA / March 2026
Nazis
Jews
Holocaust
Anonymous , / March 2026
Economic Instability
Increased Refugees
ICE Deportations
Cece , Riverside, CA / March 2026
Harm
Immigrants
Segregation
Theresa , Westford, MA / March 2026
Not Being Able to Support Yourself
Economic Struggles/Lack of Housing
Blaming Immigrants and Illegal Detainment
Sara , Los Angeles, CA / March 2026
Infection
COVID-19
Blame the Unvaccinated
Anonymous , / March 2026
Antisemitism
Zionism
Palestinians
Katherine W. , CA / March 2026
Loss of World I Know
Economic Difficulty/Pandemic
Immigrants
Kristen , / March 2026
World Strife
Anti-Semitism
Jews
Ann A. , Newton, MA / March 2026
Economic Problems
Hitler
Jews
Ann A. , Newton, MA / March 2026
Women's Liberation
Christian Nationalism
Trad Wife Culture
Tiffany D. , Colorado Springs, CO / March 2026
Being Outed as Pedophiles/Evil
Republicans and the Epstein Files
Democrats/PoC/Minorities
Wallace F. , NY / March 2026
Women's Liberation/Lack of Need for Men
Red Pill Podcasts
Women are Bad/Male Loneliness Epidemic
Anonymous , Albuquerque, NM / March 2026
Diversity
Donald Trump
Immigrants
Mary W. , CO / March 2026
School Shootings
Political Disagreements
Trans Community
Gabriel , KY / March 2026
European Tensions
Austrian Assassination
Intricate Alliances for War
Lukas , Middlesex, UK / March 2026
Terrorism
Twin Towers
Islam/Islamophobia
Larry , Atlanta, GA / March 2026
Job Loss
Politics
Immigrants
Ian , MS / March 2026