The White House has announced that Associated Press (AP) reporters will no longer have access to the Oval Office or Air Force One, following a disagreement over the name of the Gulf of Mexico.
Taylor Budowich, the White House deputy chief of staff, shared the news on social media, explaining that the AP has refused to use President Trump’s preferred name, the Gulf of America, for the body of water. Budowich accused the AP of spreading misinformation and acting irresponsibly.
He acknowledged the First Amendment’s protection of press freedom but argued it doesn’t guarantee journalists unlimited access to the Oval Office or Air Force One. However, he assured that AP reporters would still have access to the White House complex.
Reports say an AP journalist was prevented from attending an executive order signing in the Oval Office last Friday. When the journalist tried to enter, a White House official reportedly told them, “No, sorry.”
This action comes after weeks of tension between the Trump administration and the AP over the Gulf of Mexico’s name. Trump prefers calling it the Gulf of America, but the AP has refused to make this change in its reporting.
Julie Pace, AP’s executive editor, called the ban an attempt to punish the organization for its independent reporting. She said the move violates the First Amendment and hinders public access to unbiased news.
After the incident, Pace sent a letter to the White House, calling the ban a troubling precedent. The New York Times also expressed support for the AP, condemning the White House’s actions and defending press freedom.
In a memo from January 23, the AP confirmed it would continue using “Gulf of Mexico” in its reporting. The AP emphasized that the name has been in use for over 400 years and is well-known worldwide, so changing it could confuse readers.
The White House’s decision could impact how news is shared, especially in areas where the AP is a key source of information. Some of Trump’s supporters may see the ban as proof that the AP is unpatriotic or untrustworthy.
