Recently, men's behavior toward women has changed. Many men confuse the request not to violate others' sexual boundaries with a prohibition against participating in basic human activities like dating or telling jokes. More and more often, we can hear men talking about the fear of becoming part of a "witch hunt."

It’s not uncommon to see a well-liked man accused of something terrible in the news. In such situations, all it takes for a man sometimes is just to call it a "witch hunt" and brush off the accusations. The very term “witch hunt” has taken on a new meaning. Historically, it referred to the trials of witches in early modern Europe and colonial America. Witches were hanged, beheaded, or burned at the stake. This is not similar to the modern-day "witch hunts" against rapists.

The most famous person to popularize the "witch hunt" is the 45th President of the United States, Donald Trump. When he mentions a "witch hunt," he means that he is being unfairly persecuted. The former president believes that this is done not for the sake of justice but to damage his reputation and himself. A simple Twitter search shows that he tweeted this phrase at least two hundred times since taking office. This indicates a continuous, all-consuming paranoid panic, which is undoubtedly helpful for a world leader.

For example, May 15, 2016: “The media is really on a witch-hunt against me. False reporting, and plenty of it – but we will prevail!” March 19, 2018: “A total WITCH HUNT with massive conflicts of interest!” June 5, 2018: “... The greatest Witch Hunt in political history!” Trump is not a warlock, but he possesses one spell skillfully. He knows that sometimes, all you need to do is say that something is true. If you say you are a self-made billionaire, then you are a billionaire. If you say you will do something great, then it will be so. This is how he interprets his witch hunt.

History is static, but its variations remain; the concepts persist, but their meanings change. So, where else besides the persona of Donald Trump can you see glimpses of a "witch hunt?" Find out in the next sections.