This is wild.
In a recent outburst on social media, Scientific American editor-in-chief Laura Helmuth let her frustrations with President Trump’s supporters spill out in a series of fiery posts. The result was a display of contempt that not only insulted millions of hardworking Americans but also exposed the growing cultural divide between elitist media figures and the everyday voters they dismiss.
Helmuth’s tirade began on the night of the election when she shared a hopeful message about voter turnout efforts. “Thanks to everybody who knocked on doors, mailed postcards, worked together, got involved in get-out-the-vote events, donated money, registered voters, and simply voted. I’m so glad we are all in this together,” she wrote, signaling optimism about the possibility of a different outcome.
But as the night wore on and former President Donald Trump gained momentum in key battleground states, Helmuth’s tone soured quickly. She expressed frustration with her hometown of Indiana, lamenting that its residents were “meanest, dumbest, most bigoted” and accusing them of celebrating Trump’s lead. She even went so far as to insult people from her generation, claiming they were “fascists” for supporting Trump.
Helmuth’s comments have raised serious concerns about the left’s growing tendency to demonize half of the electorate. Her derogatory language—referring to Trump voters as “f—ing fascists” and “bigoted”—reveals a mindset that dismisses vast swaths of the American populace as ignorant or even morally bankrupt.
The day after the election, Helmuth shared an article on “election grief” that seemed to provide a psychological rationale for the emotional outbursts she had just exhibited. But instead of empathizing with the reality of a democratic process, Helmuth’s posts reflect an unwillingness to accept the outcome and a deep-seated resentment toward voters who did not share her worldview.
For millions of Americans, this kind of elitism from the left only reinforces their belief that mainstream media figures are out of touch with the struggles and values of ordinary citizens. It’s an attitude that furthers the divide in this country, making it harder to engage in meaningful dialogue and work together for the common good.
As more and more people across the country feel the sting of being labeled as “bigots” or “fascists” by those who don’t understand their concerns, the need for unity and respect has never been clearer. The question now is whether figures like Helmuth are willing to listen to the voices of everyday Americans or continue to alienate them with insults and condescension.