In a controversial narrative that has gripped headlines in recent days, U.S. President Donald Trump is being blamed for what some political figures and media outlets describe as a “rise of Satanism” in American schools.
The accusations stem from the growing presence of the Satanic Temple’s educational programs in elementary schools, a development that has sparked outrage and debate.
However, leaders of the Satanic Temple have pushed back, insisting their initiatives are misunderstood and emphasizing, “We’re not devil worshipers.”
According to a report by the Daily Star, the Satanic Temple has introduced programs aimed at teaching values like compassion, empathy, and inclusion to young students.
The article highlights how these efforts have been met with fierce criticism, particularly from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has pointed the finger at Trump-era policies for enabling such initiatives.
DeSantis reportedly argued that decisions made during Trump’s administration created a cultural and legal environment that allowed groups like the Satanic Temple to gain a foothold in public institutions.
“The Satanic Temple’s emergence spreading their ideology and values to children is a direct result of Trump’s leadership,” DeSantis is quoted as saying.
The Daily Star further notes that the Satanic Temple’s program director, June Everett, has sought to clarify the group’s intentions. “When they hear ‘Satanic Temple,’ it’s initially shocking,” Everett said.
“They automatically think evil and awful things. We are not devil worshipers.”
Instead, she explained, the organization’s school programs are designed to counter bullying and exclusion, responding to parents’ concerns about their children being ostracized for not participating in dominant religious activities in their communities.
Other news outlets have echoed this unfolding story.
A report from Newsweek on March 22, 2025, delves into the political firestorm, noting that conservative commentators have seized on the issue to criticize Trump’s legacy.
The article suggests that DeSantis’s remarks may be part of a broader strategy to distance himself from Trump as both vie for influence within the Republican Party.
Meanwhile, The Guardian published a piece on March 23, 2025, exploring the Satanic Temple’s long-standing efforts to challenge religious privilege in public spaces, framing their school programs as a response to Christian after-school clubs rather than an endorsement of devil worship.
The controversy has also ignited discussions about the separation of church and state.
The Satanic Temple, a nontheistic organization recognized as a religion by the IRS, has frequently used its status to advocate for secularism, often through provocative means.
As reported by CNN on March 23, 2025, the group’s latest push into schools has reignited debates about religious freedom and the role of alternative belief systems in education.
Critics, including some parents and lawmakers, argue that allowing such programs blurs the line between education and indoctrination, while supporters contend it’s a matter of equal representation.
Despite the Temple’s insistence that its programs are not about promoting Satanism as a faith, the backlash has been swift.
Posts on X, as observed on March 23, 2025, reveal a mix of outrage and skepticism, with some users amplifying DeSantis’s claims and others mocking the notion that Trump could be held responsible for the Temple’s actions. One widely shared post linked to the Daily Star article, underscoring the polarizing nature of the debate.
