In a sharp escalation of tensions between the Trump administration and the Associated Press, the White House announced it will limit the wire service’s access to the Oval Office and Air Force One, citing the outlet’s refusal to adopt the administration’s preferred geographic terminology.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich confirmed the move in a post Friday, stating the AP’s continued use of "Gulf of Mexico" instead of "Gulf of America" amounts to misinformation.
"This decision is not just divisive, but it also exposes the Associated Press’ commitment to misinformation," Budowich wrote on X. "While their right to irresponsible and dishonest reporting is protected by the First Amendment, it does not ensure their privilege of unfettered access to limited spaces, like the Oval Office and Air Force One."
While AP journalists and photographers will retain their credentials to the White House complex, their exclusion from key areas of presidential coverage was made clear Friday when an AP reporter was blocked from attending an executive order signing in the Oval Office. The journalist, part of the small press pool typically granted access, was turned away by a White House official with a blunt, “No, sorry.”
This marks the latest in a series of rebukes from the White House, which earlier in the week barred AP reporters from covering events including a press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The dispute stems from a Jan. 23 AP guidance stating it would continue referring to the Gulf of Mexico “by its original name while acknowledging the new name Trump has chosen.”
The White House Correspondents’ Association has condemned the administration’s actions, warning that restricting press access based on editorial decisions sets a dangerous precedent. The AP, for its part, called the move “alarming” and a direct punishment for independent journalism.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the decision, stating, “It is a privilege to cover the White House, and we reserve the right to limit access if we feel there are lies being pushed by outlets in this room.”
