Trump Blocks AP From White House Over ‘Gulf Of America’ Dispute

President Donald Trump can temporarily block The Associated Press from attending select White House events, following a split decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on Friday. The ruling halts an earlier order by U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, who had instructed the Trump administration to provide AP journalists access to the Oval Office, Air Force One, and other official events.

In a 2-1 decision, U.S. Circuit Judge Neomi Rao, supported by fellow Trump appointee Gregory Katsas, wrote that allowing Judge McFadden’s injunction to stand would interfere with “the President’s independence and control over his private workspaces.” Rao emphasized that the White House was likely to win the ongoing legal battle initiated by the AP.

Why AP Was Barred: Gulf of Mexico Name Dispute

The Associated Press sued the administration in February after the White House limited its access, allegedly in retaliation for the agency’s continued use of the name ‘Gulf of Mexico’ instead of ‘Gulf of America’, a term President Trump insisted on. The AP argued that this move violated the First Amendment, which guarantees free speech and press rights.

Judge McFadden, appointed by Trump during his first term, had earlier ruled that if the White House grants access to some journalists, it cannot exclude others based solely on their viewpoints.

Sharp Dissent and Accusations of Retaliation

In her dissent, Circuit Judge Cornelia Pillard, appointed by President Barack Obama, criticized the majority’s decision. She said it clashes with “any sensible understanding of the role of a free press in our constitutional democracy.”

Despite the court order, the AP claimed on April 16 that the Trump administration continued excluding its journalists and even limited access for other wire services like Reuters and Bloomberg. These services, vital for regional media and financial markets, now find themselves in a larger pool rotation of around 30 media outlets.

White House and AP Respond

White House spokesperson Taylor Budowich defended the move, stating on X (formerly Twitter): “The Associated Press has no right to unfettered access to limited spaces, like the Oval Office and Air Force One.”

The AP, meanwhile, expressed disappointment in the ruling and confirmed that it is evaluating its legal options. “We will continue to refer to the Gulf of Mexico by its name used for more than 400 years,” the agency reiterated, citing its global journalistic standards.

Trump administration lawyers maintain that the President holds “absolute discretion” over media access to sensitive spaces and that prior coverage can influence those decisions.