The Associated Press (AP) suffered a legal defeat after a federal judge denied its request to regain exclusive access to President Donald Trump’s events. The lawsuit, which claimed that the White House violated press freedoms by barring AP from Air Force One, the Oval Office and Mar-a-Lago, was dismissed by Judge Trevor McFadden.
McFadden ruled that the president has the authority to determine which outlets receive direct access to him. The decision emphasized that AP’s ability to report on the administration has not been impaired, as the outlet continues to attend press briefings and use pool reports.
TRUMP WINS IN COURT AGAINST THE AP.
THE RESULT: pic.twitter.com/qHMnl01eki
— john jackson (@pvtjokerus) February 25, 2025
The controversy erupted when Trump issued an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.” AP refused to adopt the change, prompting the White House to revoke its special media privileges. Trump has made it clear that AP’s exclusion will remain in place until it complies with the new terminology.
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
The White House argued that access to exclusive events is a privilege, not a right. The administration also pointed out that AP’s reporting has not been limited, as it still has access to official White House information.
McFadden’s ruling rejected AP’s argument that it faced “irreparable harm” due to its loss of exclusive access. The judge scheduled a hearing for March 20 to consider AP’s request for a preliminary injunction.
Trump’s executive order directed federal agencies to use “Gulf of America” in official documents. The move has been met with mixed reactions, with some media outlets adopting the term while others continue to use “Gulf of Mexico.”
