Retailer Forever21 is facing backlash for selling biker shorts plastered with the words “fake news.”
The black shorts, plastered with the phrase in white lettering, are one of multiple items — including a graphic hoodie and matching joggers — currently for sale on the store’s website that market the term “fake news.”
Social media users took to Twitter to express their frustration over incorporating the phrase — which President Trump often uses in slamming reporting he doesn’t like. A Baltimore Sun reporter tweeted “this is not funny, cute or fashionable.”
Others applauded the store for selling the apparel.
Earlier this year, Bloomingdale’s apologized for selling a T-shirt with the words “Fake News” displayed on it after a reporter from New York posted a photo on Twitter, spurring criticism.{mosads}
The Washington, D.C.-based Newseum also ran into similar backlash in Aug. 2018 after selling “You are very fake news” t-shirts on its website and in its gift shop. The “fake news” T-shirts were for sale for $19.95 until the items drew attention after a report by the Poynter Institute, a journalism nonprofit.
Just days later, directors of the Newseum apologized and took the shirts off of its website.
“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,” the Aug. 4 statement read. “A free press is an essential part of our democracy and journalists are not the enemy of the people.”
Joe Concha contributed.