A federal judge has ruled against the Associated Press (AP), rejecting the outlet’s attempt to regain special access to key presidential events. AP had sued the White House, claiming its exclusion from the Oval Office, Air Force One and Mar-a-Lago violated press freedoms, but U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden determined that the administration had the right to set its own access policies.
The White House has maintained that AP still has access to press briefings and can report on events using pool coverage. In its legal response, the administration asserted that granting special media access is a presidential choice, not a right. “The Associated Press continues to enjoy general media access to the White House press facilities,” the response stated, dismissing claims of unfair treatment.
TRUMP WINS IN COURT AGAINST THE AP.
THE RESULT: pic.twitter.com/qHMnl01eki
— john jackson (@pvtjokerus) February 25, 2025
President Donald Trump has made clear that AP’s exclusion is tied to its refusal to adopt the administration’s renaming of the Gulf of Mexico. Trump had ordered that it be referred to as the “Gulf of America,” a change that AP has refused to implement. Trump publicly addressed the situation, stating, “We’re very proud of this country, and we want it to be the Gulf of America.”
White House Epically Reminds the AP It’s the 'Gulf of America' After Pro-Trump Court Ruling https://t.co/6D2PQerMMK
— Fearless45 (@Fearless45Trump) February 25, 2025
While AP has framed the lawsuit as a First Amendment battle, Judge McFadden ruled that the outlet had not demonstrated harm, noting that AP can still cover the administration through alternative methods. The judge scheduled another hearing for March 20 to review AP’s request for a preliminary injunction.
Other major news outlets have taken different approaches to the name dispute. The New York Times and The Washington Post have continued to use Gulf of Mexico, while Fox News has adopted the new designation.
Trump’s executive order instructing the Department of the Interior to update government records with the new name also declared February 9 as “Gulf of America Day.” The decision was reportedly influenced by conservative commentator Kevin Posobiec.
