“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,” another post read. “The moral arc of the universe isn’t going to bend itself.”

Under Helmuth’s leadership Scientific American, the longest continuously running magazine in the US, waded into politics to an unprecedented degree. Four years ago, it made a presidential endorsement in support of Joe Biden for the first time in its 175-year history. “Donald Trump has badly damaged the U.S. and its people — because he rejects evidence and science,” the endorsement read. Four years later, the outlet endorsed Kamala Harris with a similar statement, this time emphasising abortion in addition to climate change and Covid-19.

Helmuth’s tenure also saw the publication of articles that blurred the lines between scientific research and activism. A 2021 article, “From Civil Rights to Black Lives Matter”, addressed what makes various social justice movements successful. “Social movements have likely existed for as long as oppressive human societies have, but only in the past few centuries has their praxis […] developed into a craft, to be learned and honed,” the article read. Several articles argued in favour of abortions, with one headline claiming: “Third-Trimester Abortions Are Moral and Necessary Health Care.”

The outlet published numerous articles promoting transgender medical interventions. It also published articles advocating against age restrictions for these procedures. One such article claimed that “a decade of research shows such treatment reduces depression, suicidality and other devastating consequences of trans preteens and teens being forced to undergo puberty in the sex they were assigned at birth”, a proposition that has come under international scrutiny in recent years.

The former editor’s election-related social media posts drew intense criticism, for which she subsequently apologised. After deleting the offending posts, and clarifying that they do not represent the views of her then-employer, Helmuth wrote: “I respect and value people across the political spectrum. I am committed to civil communication and editorial objectivity.”

Laura Helmuth has been contacted for comment.