Turning Point USA

The White House has indefinitely barred the Associated Press from access to the Oval Office and Air Force One due to the outlet’s continued use of the term “Gulf of Mexico,” despite the Trump administration’s decision to rename it the “Gulf of America.”

President Donald Trump issued an executive order in January initiating the name change, which has since been adopted by government agencies and federal contractors. Google Maps and Apple Maps have also updated their US versions to reflect the new designation. However, the Associated Press has refused to comply, citing the fact that “Gulf of Mexico” remains the internationally recognized name. The news organization, known for its widely used style guide, has stated it will not alter its terminology.

The White House initially barred an Associated Press reporter from entering the Oval Office and has now extended the restriction indefinitely. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich defended the decision in a statement on X, saying the AP’s stance is “not just divisive, but it also exposes the Associated Press’ commitment to misinformation.”

“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,” Budowich said. “Going forward, that space will now be opened up to the many thousands of reporters who have been barred from covering these intimate areas of the administration.”

AP journalists still retain credentials to access White House grounds but are excluded from pooled events, including Air Force One flights.

According to a report by CNN, the AP is considering a legal challenge. One anonymous staff member stated, “It’s hard to come up with a clearer case of viewpoint discrimination.” The White House, however, argues that it has the authority to determine which media outlets participate in the press pool rotation.