Newseum Starts Selling MAGA Hats, ‘Fake News’ Merch, Drawing Outrage: ‘Disturbing’
In an arguably-counterintuitive business decision, the Newseum has apparently reacted to President Donald Trump‘s attacks on the media by incorporating them into their gift shop merchandise.
The Newseum is one of the most well-known non-profit museums in Washington D.C., with exhibits focused on the historic evolution of the media and the importance of free speech. The museum incorporates its pro-First Amendment statements into most of their wares, though they’ve also been selling Make America Great Again hats and similar paraphernalia for some time, as a reflection of Donald Trump‘s rise to the presidency.
As it were, if you go onto the Newseum’s online store, you might notice that they’re selling “You Are Very Fake News” shirts.
As most political observers know, Trump frequently uses the term “fake news” to demean and delegitimize critical reporting on his administration.
Poynter’s Daniel Funke reached out to the Newseum with questions about this, and PR Director Sonya Gavankar explained that the merch is all part of their goal to encourage free speech.
“We recognize why you’re asking the question,” said Gavankar. “As a nonpartisan organization, people with differing viewpoints feel comfortable visiting the Newseum, and one of our greatest strengths is that we’re champions not only of a free press but also of free speech.”
Needless to say the decision — from an organization dedicated to promoting a free press — to start hawking “FAKE NEWS” tees drew a serious rebuke.
I’m baffled why the Newseum would sell political merchandise, but I’m infuriated that it, of all places, would sell “fake news” shirts. https://t.co/PbikXjswQm
— Luke DeCock (@LukeDeCock) August 3, 2018
Shame on @Newseum for selling “Fake News” t-shirts. What a joke of a museum that claims, “A free press, at its best, reveals the truth.” (h/t @Poynter) https://t.co/mlJW9lWCLK pic.twitter.com/868dBQkrlY
— Alex Kotch ? (@alexkotch) August 3, 2018
Selling MAGA hats is in line with pretty much every gift shop in D.C. today, but you’d think a museum dedicated to the free press wouldn’t sell “You are very fake news” shirts that mimic the logo font of a network the president regularly attacks https://t.co/0Hn6KxI8PW
— Josh Billinson (@jbillinson) August 3, 2018
No fucking way @Newseum
You sell “Fake News” shirts and call it part of your commitment to free speech?
No. Just no. https://t.co/wzqwx32jR9
— Adam Davidson (@adamdavidson) August 3, 2018
Outside the Newseum is a banner calling for the release of Austin Tice, an American journalist held captive in Syria for going on 6 years. The US government believes he is still alive.
Inside, they’ll sell you a shirt that says “You are very fake news” for $19.97. https://t.co/OeU4n4nLox
— Susan Hennessey (@Susan_Hennessey) August 3, 2018
The Newseum says this is about championing “free speech.” The more cynical read: The museum is deep in debt, strapped for cash, and tourists like these trinkets https://t.co/owVMLS3xSb
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) August 3, 2018
A “You Are Fake News” t-shirt costs $19.97, at an institution that is literally exists to “to increase public understanding of the importance of a free press and the First Amendment.” pic.twitter.com/AcgrriHTwK
— Sopan Deb (@SopanDeb) August 3, 2018
why in the world is the @Newseum
selling MAGA hats? what? https://t.co/KHhzDTyY5F pic.twitter.com/8fZLr9b7Rj— Sopan Deb (@SopanDeb) August 3, 2018
This is really disturbing. @Newseum, why are you (of all places!) fostering the delegitimization of journalism? https://t.co/XfIShcIA3C
— Matt McDermott (@mattmfm) August 3, 2018
so this pretty fucked up: The Newseum is selling MAGA hats and ‘fake news’ T-shirts https://t.co/g6Jx0S6KiH
— David Mack (@davidmackau) August 3, 2018
Looking forward to the Newseum’s “Enemy of the people” onesie https://t.co/Ckqy5oSt5V
— Ryan McCarthy (@mccarthyryanj) August 3, 2018
[Image via Flickr]
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