Charlatan

/ˈʃɑːlətən/

noun

A person falsely claiming to have special knowledge or skills; a fraud. One who attracts attention with tricks, deceptions, or false claims — especially in matters where public trust is at stake.

In modern usage

The modern charlatan rarely sells potions from a cart. Today, they are more likely to exploit the fears of parents, fabricate or distort stories about children, and ride manufactured outrage into media appearances and political influence. They present themselves as grassroots advocates while aligning with well-funded national organizations. They claim to protect children while actively working to strip rights from the most vulnerable ones.

Common characteristics

Claims to speak for “all parents” while representing a narrow ideology
Presents disputed personal narratives as universal truth
Partners with national political organizations while maintaining a “concerned local parent” persona
Targets transgender youth under the guise of “parental rights”
Seeks legislative power to restrict the rights and safety of marginalized children
Appears on partisan media circuits to amplify fear and misinformation
Conflates protecting children with controlling them

Etymology

From the Italian ciarlatano, meaning “to babble” or “to chatter,” blended with cerretano — a quack from Cerreto, a village once infamous for its wandering swindlers. The word entered French as charlatan in the 16th century before crossing into English, carrying with it centuries of suspicion toward those who speak loudly while knowing little.

How to Spot a Charlatan

☐ Check their funding — follow the money from “grassroots parent” to national political organizations
☐ Count the media appearances — real advocates do the work, charlatans do the circuit
☐ Listen for the pivot — when challenged on facts, they switch to emotion and anecdote
☐ Watch who benefits — if the “protected” children end up with fewer rights, the mission was never protection
☐ Ask the teachers, counselors, and doctors — charlatans avoid the people who actually work with kids daily
☐ Track the claims — charlatans recycle debunked stories across state lines like touring acts

“The charlatan’s secret is not that they are convincing, but that they choose audiences desperate enough to believe.” — Anonymous

Scripture on false witnesses

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.”

Matthew 7:15–16

“A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish.”

Proverbs 19:9

“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”

Proverbs 6:16–19

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness.”

Isaiah 5:20

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”

Matthew 23:27–28

Did you know? In 16th-century Italy, charlatans were often found in the town square performing elaborate shows to sell fake remedies. The practice was so common that Venice eventually required them to be licensed — making it perhaps the first recorded attempt to regulate professional liars. Some things never change.