# Self-Satirizing Shirts Buzzfeed's 'Failing Pile of Garbage' Tees Reference a High-Profile Insult By Joey Haar | Published 2017-01-12 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/failing-pile-of-garbage References: [shop.buzzfeed](https://shop.buzzfeed.com/collections/garbage/products/failing-pile-of-garbage-limited-edition-t-shirt-1) In a recent press conference, Donald Trump, the president-elect of the United States of America, lambasted Buzzfeed as being a "failing pile of garbage." The comment came in response to [Buzzfeed News](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/buzzfeed-island), the current affairs arms of the pop media conglomerate, releasing a document from an ex-intelligence officer that contains information on Trump. The unverified document released by Buzzfeed News is reportedly from a former British intelligence official, and it claims that the Russian government has been assisting Trump for years. With such wild allegations at hand, Trump hurled the above-mentioned insult at Buzzfeed. As a retort to Trump, Buzzfeed's store is now selling t-shirt that read "FAILING PILE OF GARBAGE." With the shirt, the media company is treating such an insult by a soon-to-be high-ranking official as a badge of pride. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.3/10 - Popularity: 79% | Activity: 71% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Political](https://www.trendhunter.com/political) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Political Satire Apparel:** Opportunity for companies to create clothing that satirizes political figures and events. - **Brand Activism:** Companies can capitalize on political controversy by creating merchandise that aligns with certain ideologies. - **Pop Culture Merchandise:** Growing market for merchandise that references trending news, events, and memes. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Fashion Retail:** Fashion retailers can create and sell satirical political apparel. - **Media and Publishing:** Media companies can leverage controversial political events to generate revenue through merchandise sales. - **E-commerce:** Online retailers can tap into the growing demand for pop culture merchandise and political satire apparel. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Cheeky Holiday Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/conversation-stoppers.md) - [Fun-Centered Social Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/buzzfeed-island.md) - [Creative Online Social Networks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bf-island.md) - [Sauce-Proof Shirts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sauce-proof-shirts.md) - [Article Product Suggestions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shopsense-ai.md) - [Receipt-Inspired Graphic T-Shirts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/made-to-order.md) - [Voting-Themed Fashion Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/youve-got-the-power.md) - [Reality TV Show Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dumbgood.md) - [Social Site-Themed Merchandise](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/elon-musk-and-x.md)