Newseum Removes 'Fake News' Shirts From Gift Shop

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Newseum, a museum in Washington D.C. dedicated to the press, says it has stopped selling shirts that said "you are very fake news." The Newseum said in a statement that it has removed the shirts that have the words used frequently by President Donald Trump to describe the news media from its gift shop and website.

"We made a mistake and we apologize," the statement said. "A free press is an essential part of our democracy and journalists are not the enemy of the people."

However, the museum said it would continue selling other Trump-related merchandise. Sonya Gavankar, director of public relations for the Newseum, told Poynter that the "Make America Great Again" hat is one of its best sellers.

Poynter reported that the "fake news shirts" were selling for $19.97 on sale.

"As an organization that celebrates the rights of people from all political spectrums to express themselves freely, we’ve historically made all types of political merchandise available for our guests to purchase," the Newseum said in its statement. "That has included former and current presidential slogans and imagery and merchandise from all political parties.

"We continue to do so in celebration of freedom of speech," the Newseum said.

On its website, the Newseum says its mission is "to increase public understanding of the importance of a free press and the First Amendment."

The museum also has significant financial problems.

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