The Newseum officially opens to the public. Photo: Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post/Getty Images
Following substantial criticism over selling t-shirts adorned with the phrase: "You Are Very Fake News," the Newseum has issued an apology for selling the product, adding it has removed the shirts from the gift shop and online store.
"A free press is an essential part of our democracy and journalists are not the enemy of the people."— Newseum in a press release
The private museum went on to explain it will continue to sell other merchandise that has received criticism, like red "Make America Great Again" hats, as it has "historically made all types of political merchandise available for our guests to purchase."
The Newseum has removed the "You Are Very Fake News" t-shirts from the gift shop and online. We made a mistake and we apologize. A free press is an essential part of our democracy and journalists are not the enemy of the people.
Questions have also been raised regarding other merchandise. 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. 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.