White House bans AP from Oval Office, Air Force One over ‘Gulf of Mexico’ dispute

The dispute originates from an executive order signed by President Trump last month, renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” for all US government agencies.

The Trump administration has indefinitely barred The Associated Press (AP) from the Oval Office and Air Force One, escalating tensions between the White House and the media over a naming dispute regarding the Gulf of Mexico.

The move comes after the AP refused to adopt the White House’s directive to refer to the body of water as the “Gulf of America.” On Friday, the administration blocked an AP reporter and photographer from boarding Air Force One for a trip to Florida, marking a significant escalation in the dispute. The AP has also been excluded from covering several White House events this week, including a press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Taylor Budowich, White House deputy chief of staff, defended the exclusion in a post on X, stating, “The AP continues to ignore the lawful geographic name change of the Gulf of America. This decision is not just divisive, but it also exposes The Associated Press’ commitment to misinformation.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also weighed in, reiterating that while the First Amendment protects press freedom, it “does not guarantee unfettered access to limited spaces like the Oval Office and Air Force One.”

The AP has strongly condemned the move, arguing that it amounts to governmental retaliation for editorial decisions, which would be a violation of First Amendment protections.

“Freedom of speech is a pillar of American democracy and a core value of the American people. The White House has said it supports these principles,” said AP spokeswoman Lauren Easton. “The actions taken to restrict AP’s coverage of presidential events because of how we refer to a geographic location chip away at this important right enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.”

Other major news organisations, including The New York Times and The Washington Post, have voiced support for the AP. A New York Times spokesperson stated, “Any move to limit access or impede reporters doing their jobs is at odds with the press freedoms enshrined in the Constitution.”

The Washington Post also released a statement, stating that the AP’s access to the administration is “central for all journalistic organisations.”

The dispute originates from an executive order signed by President Trump last month, renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” for all US government agencies. However, most international organisations and other countries continue to use the historical name.

The AP, which provides news coverage to a global audience, maintained its usage of “Gulf of Mexico” while also acknowledging the White House’s directive in US-specific reports. Despite this compromise, the administration singled out the AP for exclusion.

The White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA), which oversees press pool access, has condemned the administration’s decision. The press pool system, which dates back to 1881, ensures fair and continuous reporting on the presidency. The AP has been a key member of the pool, which rotates journalists from different outlets to provide coverage for the entire press corps.

“This action is a textbook violation of not only the First Amendment but also the president’s own executive order on freedom of speech and ending federal censorship,” the WHCA said in a statement.

While the AP has not yet confirmed its next steps, the organisation is reportedly considering a legal challenge against the White House’s decision, viewing it as an example of viewpoint discrimination.