The editor in chief of Scientific American, the US’s oldest magazine, has announced her resignation after a series of online posts in which she called some Donald Trump supporters “fascists” and “bigoted”.
In a post on Bluesky on Thursday, Laura Helmuth, who was originally appointed as the magazine’s editor in chief in 2020, said: “I’ve decided to leave Scientific American after an exciting 4.5 years as editor in chief. I’m going to take some time to think about what comes next (and go birdwatching).”
Helmuth’s resignation comes after a series of expletive-filled posts on 5 November – election night – in which she criticized those who voted for Trump.
In her since-deleted posts on Bluesky, Helmuth wrote: “Every four years I remember why I left Indiana (where I grew up) and remember why I respect the people who stayed and are trying to make it less racist and sexist. The moral arc of the universe isn’t going to bend itself.”
She went on to add: “Solidarity to everybody whose meanest, dumbest, most bigoted high-school classmates are celebrating early results because fuck them to the moon and back.”
“I apologize to younger voters that my Gen X is so full of fucking fascists,” Helmuth continued.
Following her posts, Helmuth issued a public apology, writing on Bluesky: “I made a series of offensive and inappropriate posts on my personal Bluesky account on election night, and I am sorry. I respect and value people across the political spectrum.
“These posts, which I have deleted, do not reflect my beliefs; they were a mistaken expression of shock and confusion about the election results. These posts of course do not reflect the position of Scientific American or my colleagues. I am committed to civil communication and editorial objectivity,” she added.
Despite her apology, Helmuth’s posts gained traction among conservative voters online, with staunch Trump ally and X owner Elon Musk accusing her of being a political activist who has taken over a scientific institution.
A week after her apology, Helmuth announced her resignation. In a statement to multiple outlets, Kimberly Lau, the president of the magazine, said: “We thank Laura for her four years leading Scientific American during which time the magazine won major science communications awards and saw the establishment of a reimagined digital newsroom.”
During Helmuth’s time as editor in chief and for the first time in 175 years, Scientific American decided to endorse a presidential candidate – Joe Biden – in 2020. This year, the magazine endorsed Kamala Harris, saying that Trump “endangers public health and safety and rejects evidence, preferring instead nonsensical conspiracy fantasies”.
