The editor in chief of Scientific American, the oldest continuously published magazine in the US, has resigned following backlash over comments he made about Donald Trump voters. Laura Helmuth, who led the well-known publication for more than four years, stepped down after posting inflammatory comments on social media describing Mr Trump’s supporters as “the vilest, most stupid, most bigoted” group And he was labeled a “fascist”.
In her resignation statement on X’s rival platform Bluesky, Ms. Helmuth said she had decided to leave after “an exciting 4.5 years as editor in chief” without directly addressing the controversy. His now-deleted comments, made on election night, were sharply criticized, particularly by supporters, with many accusing him of compromising his role as a neutral journalist. Some people demanded his resignation.
Ms Helmuth later apologized, calling her posts “offensive and inappropriate” and stating that they were an “incorrect expression of shock and confusion about the election results”. She clarified that the views expressed do not reflect her personal beliefs or the position of Scientific American, emphasizing that she “respects and values people across the political spectrum.”
During Ms. Helmuth’s tenure, the magazine made headlines for its rare endorsements, including a crucial 2024 endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris. Scientific American also has a long history of involvement in political matters, particularly as they intersect with science. Under Ms. Helmuth’s leadership, the magazine took a strong stance against Mr. Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and issued its first presidential endorsement in 2020, endorsing Joe Biden.
In announcing her resignation, Ms. Helmuth shared that she planned to “take some time to think about what happens next” and “watch the birds.”
Kimberly Lau, president of Scientific American, confirmed in a statement that Ms. Helmuth “has decided to move on from her position,” according to the NYT, and expressed gratitude for her leadership during her tenure. According to CNN, Ms. Lau said, “We thank Laura for leading Scientific American for four years, during which time the magazine won major science communication awards and saw the establishment of a reimagined digital newsroom.”
The search for Laura Helmuth’s replacement is currently underway.
