Donald Trump bans US news agency for refusing to rename Gulf of Mexico
President Donald Trump has banned a major US news agency from the Oval Office and Air Force One indefinitely for refusing to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America.
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US President Donald Trump has banned a major news agency from the Oval Office and Air Force One for refusing to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America in line with an executive order.
The White House announced that it had indefinitely blocked access to Associated Press reporters in a standoff that has intensified between the Trump administration and the news agency over the Gulf of Mexico’s name.
Critics have been quick to point out that the move is effectively press censorship that completely flouts the First Amendment guaranteeing the rights of free speech and the press.
The move comes as President Trump saying Europe was losing its right to freedom of speech and struggling with immigration while doubling down on his criticism of traditional allies, AFP reports.
His comments came after US Vice President JD Vance, speaking at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, launched a withering attack on European policies.
“I heard his speech. He talked about freedom of speech. And I think it’s true,” Trump told reporters.
“In Europe, it’s losing their wonderful right of freedom of speech. I see it.”
Associated Press (AP) is one of the biggest agencies in the US providing newswire and photographic services to global media organisations.
But earlier this week the White House refused AP representatives entry to some events.
White House deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich announced on X that the ban would be ongoing.
“The Associated Press 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’s commitment to misinformation.”, he wrote before accusing the 175-year-old newswire agency of “irresponsible and dishonest reporting”.
Referencing the US constitution, Mr Budowich acknowledged that AP’s reporting was covered by the first amendment but defended the ban saying that “does not ensure their privilege of unfettered access to limited spaces, like the Oval Office and Air Force One”.
He added that the agency’s journalists and photographers would retain their credentials to the White House complex.
So far, the White House has banned AP reporters from attending three events including an open news conference with President Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Associated Press executive editor Julie Pace labelled the action a “deeply troubling escalation” adding the ban was an attempt by the White House to “punish” the organisation for its independent journalism.
“Limiting our access to the Oval Office based on the content of AP’s speech not only severely impedes the public’s access to independent news, it plainly violates the first amendment,” Pace said.
The New York Times issued a statement saying it stood by the Associated Press while “condemning repeated acts of retribution by this administration for editorial decisions it disagrees with”.
“Any move to limit access or impede reporters doing their jobs is at odds with the press freedoms enshrined in the constitution,” said the statement, which was reported by chief CNN media analyst, Brian Stelter.
Meanwhile, the Associated Press issued a style memo to staff on January 23 stating it would not be changing its style on the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America after Trump’s decision to change the body of water’s name – a move which holds authority only within the US’s federal government.
“the Gulf of Mexico has carried that name for more than 400 years. The Associated Press will refer to it by its original name while acknowledging the new name Trump has chosen. As a global news agency that disseminates news around the world, the AP must ensure that place names and geography are easily recognisable to all audiences,” the Associated Press said.
Originally published as Donald Trump bans US news agency for refusing to rename Gulf of Mexico
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