The Associated Press (AP) has been blocked from the Oval Office for refusing to use the White House’s new term, “Gulf of America,” instead of “Gulf of Mexico.”
AP Executive Editor Julie Pace revealed that the White House had pressured the outlet earlier in the day to update its style guide and adopt “Gulf of America” following President Trump’s recent executive order renaming the body of water. When AP declined, the White House prevented one of its journalists from attending Trump’s executive order signing later that day.
“It is deeply concerning that the Trump administration is retaliating against AP for its independent journalism,” Pace said in a statement. “Restricting our access to the Oval Office based on our editorial choices not only limits the public’s ability to receive independent news but also clearly violates the First Amendment.”
When asked which official had made the decision to bar the AP reporter, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the move.
“Covering this White House is a privilege,” Leavitt stated on Wednesday. “No one has an automatic right to enter the Oval Office and question the president. It’s an invitation, and there are many outlets on this campus that don’t get