The Trump White House has denied access to an Oval Office event for a second time this week, punishing The Associated Press (AP) for refusing to rename the “Gulf of Mexico” as the “Gulf of America”.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the decision, saying the AP should be held accountable for what she claims are false statements about the name change. However, AP officials argue that they have not pushed lies and that the First Amendment protects them from government retaliation.
The AP has protested the move, with executive editor Julie Pace writing to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles that it is viewpoint discrimination based on editorial choices and a clear violation of the First Amendment. The AP has also been restricted from attending other press events this week.
In contrast, the Trump administration claims to be restoring free speech in government while applying new scrutiny and punishment to news outlets critical of President Trump’s views. The White House has blocked CBS News investigations into an interview with Kamala Harris and ABC debate moderation.
Source: https://deadline.com/2025/02/trump-associated-press-ap-gulf-of-mexico-1236287057