Unless you've been under several rocks, you're probably aware of the unverified dossier published by BuzzFeed News on Tuesday evening. Trump immediately discredited the whole thing as fake news, and today at his first press conference, the president-elect referred to BuzzFeed as a "failing pile of garbage."
"You are fake news." Watch President-elect @realDonaldTrump call @BuzzFeed “a failing pile of garbage” and call out @CNN. pic.twitter.com/DyvGg2MBbg
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 11, 2017
Not to be outdone, BuzzFeed is now selling limited edition "failing pile of garbage" merchandise. The items include a shirt, bumper stickers, and, yes, even a garbage can.
BuzzFeed has faced criticism from both the left and the right for publishing the dossier of allegations against Trump. Many people were giving the decision to sell merchandise with the "pile of garbage" line as a way to make a buck off of what was potentially journalistic malpractice. [Ed. Note: apparently all proceeds from sales of these items will go to The Committee to Protect Journalists]
After angering many members of the journalistic community, BuzzFeed seeks a profit…. https://t.co/B5Q2s9REoN
— Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) January 11, 2017
And, just like that, you can buy a Buzzfeed "failing pile of garbage" t-shirt. Of course. https://t.co/tQ2HcjLl9Y
— Jess Brammar (@jessbrammar) January 11, 2017
Maybe BuzzFeed should try to take this more seriously https://t.co/XyG7SnWoQu
— Kevin Nguyen (@knguyen) January 11, 2017
This is fascinating (not in good or bad way) on so many levels. Shots were fired. War is on. And BuzzFeed sells it. Check it out. pic.twitter.com/5HI0m5uiv0
— Trey Radel (@treyradel) January 11, 2017
Nice. @BuzzFeed profiteers off sensationalistic rumors, gets name-called for it, profiteers off name calling: https://t.co/S8OUXwwSsP
— Galen Panger ?? (@gpanger) January 11, 2017
@DylanByers They are asking WAY too much for that failing pile of garbage.
— Brain (@waddatwit) January 11, 2017
for fucks sake was this all a marketing ploy https://t.co/FKYuQqIl1A
— Shoshana Weissmann (@senatorshoshana) January 11, 2017
This story has been updated to reflect where BuzzFeed will be donating proceeds.