PoliticsAugust 17, 2026

scapegoating

SKAPE-go-ting

Definition

The act of unfairly blaming an individual or group for collective problems, failures, or the actions of others to deflect criticism or responsibility.

Etymology

Derived from the 'scapegoat,' a term first appearing in the 1530s translation of the Bible (Leviticus 16) describing a goat sent into the wilderness after symbolically taking on the sins of the people.

In the news

The article argues that congressional efforts to hold Anthony Fauci personally accountable for pandemic policy decisions are a form of scapegoating, distracting from legitimate structural and legal analysis.

Opinion | Scapegoating Fauci Won't Protect Us From the Next Pandemic

Read the full article ↗

MedPage Today

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