Abdelrahman
Controversy Deepens as White House Denies AP Access Over Gulf Naming Dispute
On February 9, 2025, President Trump addressed the media aboard Air Force One while en route to New Orleans, Louisiana. During this event, he signed a proclamation officially renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. This decision has sparked significant discussion and controversy across various media outlets.
The Associated Press (AP) reported that the White House prohibited its journalists from covering the event because the agency did not use Trump’s favored nomenclature for the water body. AP Executive Editor Julie Pace disclosed that the agency received notice that its reporters would be excluded from attending the signing due to the terminology not aligning with the administration’s directive.
In a statement featured on AP’s website, Pace expressed alarm over the administration’s actions, stating, “It is concerning that the Trump administration would penalize AP for its independent reporting. Restricting our access to the Oval Office based on our editorial decisions not only limits public access to unbiased news but also contradicts the principles of the First Amendment.”
The event was notable, as Trump, along with billionaire advisor Elon Musk, discussed extensive cuts to the federal government, part of Musk’s efficiency initiative dubbed DOGE. Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office to rename the Gulf, citing the body of water’s vital role in the nation’s economy.
The White House has yet to respond to NPR’s inquiry for further comment on the incident. This reported action comes amid increasing pressure from the Trump administration aimed at mainstream media organizations, leading to restricted access to vital locations and ongoing investigations.
AP’s Stylebook, widely utilized by numerous news organizations globally, maintains that the body of water stretching from Texas to Florida should continue to be referred to as the Gulf of Mexico, despite the recent name change imposed by the administration. The Stylebook emphasizes the historical significance of the original name, indicating, “The Gulf of Mexico has been known by this name for over four centuries. Refer to it by its established title while recognizing the new designation put forth by Trump.”
In an additional twist, the U.S. Geological Service has officially adopted “Gulf of America,” a designation that is also reflected in search results from major mapping services like Apple and Google Maps within the United States. However, internationally, the name Gulf of Mexico remains in common use.
As the AP Stylebook states, “Trump’s order holds authority only within the U.S. Other nations, including Mexico and various international organizations, are not obligated to recognize the name change.”
In response to AP’s treatment, several news organizations rallied in support. Eugene Daniels, president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, stated, “The White House cannot dictate how news organizations report, nor should it take punitive measures against journalists due to their editorial choices. Excluding an AP reporter from a public event is entirely unacceptable.”
This incident is part of a broader pattern of rising tensions between the Trump administration and the press. Under Trump’s influence, media organizations have recently experienced restrictions in access to key government spaces, as exemplified by the Pentagon’s decision to replace several mainstream news entities with right-leaning organizations.
Legal analysts have noted the fluctuating strength of Trump’s various lawsuits against major news networks, many of which settled by awarding him large financial sums. Trump has also initiated federal investigations into numerous news organizations, further heightening the atmosphere of scrutiny facing the press.
This ongoing situation emphasizes the critical role of independent journalism in a democratic society and the pressing need for transparent government communications that respect constitutional rights.
