Laura Helmuth, editor in chief of Scientific American, apologizes and blames her social media comments on “shock and confusion over election results.”
Laura Helmuth, the former editor in chief of Scientific American, has resigned following controversial comments she made on social media about supporters of President-elect Donald J. Trump. Helmuth, who led the publication for over four years, faced backlash for calling some Trump supporters “bigoted” and “fascists” in posts on the Bluesky social platform. The posts, which have since been deleted, sparked outrage among Trump supporters, with many accusing Helmuth of bias and political activism rather than impartial journalism. Some demanded her resignation, which she announced on Bluesky, stating that she would be taking time off to reflect and enjoy bird-watching.
Helmuth had previously apologized for her comments, attributing them to shock and confusion over the election results and clarifying that they did not represent the views of Scientific American or her colleagues. Kimberly Lau, the president of Scientific American, confirmed Helmuth’s decision to step down and thanked her for her contributions to the magazine. Scientific American, established in 1845 and reaching over 10 million readers globally each month, has occasionally delved into American politics, with past editorials expressing concerns about Trump’s stance on science.
In 2016, the magazine warned about Trump’s disregard for science without explicitly endorsing a candidate, while in 2020, it formally endorsed Joseph R. Biden Jr., criticizing Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Helmuth, in an interview with The New York Times, emphasized the importance of the endorsement, labeling Trump’s administration as detrimental to science. Earlier this year, Scientific American endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris and published articles on election grief following Trump’s victory. Helmuth, who holds a Ph.D. in cognitive neuroscience, has a background in journalism from reputable publications like The Washington Post, National Geographic, Slate, Smithsonian, and Science.
During her tenure, Scientific American underwent digital transformation, winning accolades for science communication. Helmuth’s resignation comes amidst a trend of public figures retracting critical statements about Trump supporters post-election. Actresses Rachel Zegler and Christina Applegate also faced backlash for anti-Trump remarks on social media and subsequently issued apologies.
Source: The NY Times
