White House Bans Associated Press Over Gulf Naming Dispute

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration announced on February 14, 2025, that it is indefinitely banning the Associated Press (AP) from the Oval Office and Air Force One over the wire service’s refusal to adopt a new name for the Gulf of Mexico, now dubbed the “Gulf of America.”

Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich stated that the AP’s choice to continue referring to the Gulf by its traditional name demonstrates a commitment to “misinformation.” This decision follows President Donald Trump’s formal decree last month to rename the Gulf of Mexico, which has been recognized globally for over 400 years, to the Gulf of America.

The White House reiterated that while the AP retains other access to the White House grounds, the ban on pooled events — crucial for news dissemination — will significantly hinder the news organization’s ability to cover the president’s activities. Such pooled events include Air Force One flights and other intimate press interactions with the president.

“It is an alarming decision to punish AP for its independent journalism,” said AP Executive Editor Julie Pace in a statement. She emphasized that limiting the AP’s access is a clear infringement on the First Amendment rights of the press as it impedes public access to important news coverage.

The AP has indicated it is preparing a legal challenge to the ban, emphasizing that it is a pivotal player in White House press coverage which dates back to 1881, when it first served as the pool reporter during President James A. Garfield’s illness.

The White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) has vocally opposed the banning, stating that the action constitutes a violation of free speech principles established under the First Amendment. The WHCA’s statement called the ban a “textbook violation” of press rights, given the long-standing tradition of including the AP in the White House press pool.

Meanwhile, other prominent media organizations, including the New York Times and Bloomberg News, continue to refer to the Gulf by its historical name, asserting their commitment to accurate reporting over political decree. A spokesperson for the New York Times reaffirmed, “We will continue to follow common usage in updating our style guidance, in service of our audiences.”

In response to the naming controversy, major tech companies like Apple and Google have complied with Trump’s decree in their mapping services, updating their platforms to reflect the Gulf of America in the U.S. while still acknowledging its traditional name in other countries.

As this situation unfolds, the Society of Professional Journalists has also expressed support for the AP’s rights to report freely and independently, condemning the White House’s increasing pressure on the press.