Laura Helmuth, editor in chief of Scientific American, resigned after backlash over her comments labelling some Trump supporters as ‘fascists.’ She apologized previously but attributed her remarks to shock from election results, leading to her departure from the magazine. Helmuth’s tenure included significant contributions to science journalism but ended amid political controversy.
Laura Helmuth, the editor in chief of Scientific American, has resigned just over a week after her controversial remarks about Trump supporters sparked outrage. On social media, notably Bluesky, Helmuth described elements of Trump’s base as “bigoted” and even labeled some as “fascists.” Her posts included pointed apologies to younger voters, invoking a rather incendiary portrayal of Generation X. Shockingly, she claimed solidarity with those victimized by unkind, less-than-enlightened high school peers, and it didn’t sit well with many—a reaction ample enough to make waves across social media.
Responses flooded in swiftly from all corners, with Trump supporters and even tech billionaire Elon Musk criticizing Helmuth for her apparent political bias. Calls for her resignation mounted, fueled by the notion that her comments strayed away from the impartiality expected of a journalist. On Thursday, in a brief statement shared via Bluesky, Helmuth announced her departure from the role, although she didn’t link it directly to her earlier comments. Instead, she expressed a need to “take some time to think about what comes next” and wistfully mentioned her plans to go bird-watching.
Previously, Helmuth did express remorse for her statements, branding them as “offensive and inappropriate.” The tension stemmed from feelings of “shock and confusion about the election results,” she said, adding that her views definitely didn’t represent Scientific American as a whole. Kimberly Lau, the president of the magazine, thanked her for her service while confirming her decision to step down. Notably, Helmuth offered no comments following her announcement.
Founded back in 1845, Scientific American has a massive reach, boasting over 10 million readers each month globally. It’s worth noting that the magazine has often engaged with political issues in the past. For instance, back in 2016, an editorial took Mr. Trump’s administration to task for its blatant disregard for science, although it notably refrained from endorsing candidate Hillary Clinton. Fast forward to 2020, the magazine officially endorsed Joe Biden, citing Trump’s mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic as the impetus behind their decision. At that time, Helmuth didn’t hold back, characterizing the Trump administration as “a disaster for science at every level.”
Earlier this year saw yet another endorsement, this time for Vice President Kamala Harris. In the wake of the 2020 election, Scientific American even tackled topics such as how to cope with election-related grief which Helmuth shared on her social feeds. Helmuth, who received her Ph.D. from UC Berkeley in cognitive neuroscience, boasts an impressive résumé that includes time at The Washington Post and National Geographic, just to name a couple.
Under Helmuth’s leadership, Scientific American restructured its digital newsroom and bagged several accolades in the world of science communication. In other news, Swift backlash against anti-Trump remarks hasn’t been limited to Helmuth. Notably, actresses Rachel Zegler and Christina Applegate have also faced the music and apologized for their similarly cutting critiques of Trump’s supporters on social media. It’s a clear sign that even public figures are wrestling with the aftermath of today’s political climate.
In summary, Laura Helmuth’s resignation from Scientific American follows significant backlash over her comments referring to some Trump supporters as ‘fascists.’ While her remarks stirred outrage and claims of bias, Helmuth expressed regret and attributed her comments to confusion regarding the election results. Despite her controversial exit, she leaves behind a legacy marked by a revitalized digital newsroom and several publications standing firm on political issues involving science. As the political landscape continues to swirl, many, including public figures, are grappling with the consequences of their words in this heated climate.
Original Source: www.nytimes.com