US Court Allows Trump To Temporarily Bar AP From White House Events
A United States federal appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump can, for now, bar The Associated Press (AP) from certain White House media events, pending a full appeal.
The court’s decision temporarily overrides an earlier ruling by District Judge Trevor McFadden, who in April stated that barring AP from access violated First Amendment rights.
The Trump administration removed AP reporters and photographers from the Oval Office and Air Force One in February after the agency refused to adopt the term “Gulf of America” instead of “Gulf of Mexico,” as decreed by Trump.
The appeals court stated that “restricted presidential spaces” are not covered under press freedom guarantees and upheld the President’s discretion over who can access such areas. It added that denying a stay “would impinge on the President’s independence and control over his private workspaces.”
Reacting to the ruling, Trump posted on Truth Social, “Big WIN over AP today. They refused to state the facts or the Truth on the GULF OF AMERICA. FAKE NEWS!!!”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also celebrated the ruling on X, writing, “VICTORY! … the Associated Press is not guaranteed special access…”
The AP, which has maintained its use of the historic “Gulf of Mexico” name, says it acknowledges the new name Trump prefers but will stick to the original due to its 400-year history.
Trump, who returned to the presidency in January, has intensified efforts to reshape White House press coverage, including ending the press corps’ long-held power to select pool reporters. His administration is also reportedly targeting US-funded media such as NPR, PBS, Voice of America, and others.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
