WHY

Museum Dedicated to Press Sells ‘Fake News’ T-Shirt

The Newseum said that it is a champion “not only of a free press but also of free speech.”

The Newseum, Washington D.C.’s museum dedicated to the press’ role throughout U.S. history, is selling a T-shirt that reads “You Are Very Fake News” in its online gift shop, The New York Times reports. The idea that the museum is profiting off of President Donald Trump’s anti-media rhetoric through T-shirt sales did not sit right with many members of the press. “If they’re that strapped for cash, I’m happy to make a donation,” said CNN’s Chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta, who has often been heckled by Trump supporters. “This t-shirt doesn’t belong anywhere. It particularly doesn’t belong at the Newseum, a place that celebrates journalism and has the First Amendment etched in stone outside its building,” wrote Matt Viser, the deputy Washington bureau chief for The Boston Globe. In a statement, a spokesperson for the museum said it is a non-partisan organization that is a champion “not only of a free press but also of free speech.” The museum has previously sold Obama-themed merchandise, and told Poynter that its “Make America Great Again” baseball caps are one of the institution’s “best-selling items.”