The Associated Press (AP) recently found itself at odds with the Trump administration over the White House’s decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.” On Tuesday, the AP was denied access to a significant event at the Oval Office after refusing to adopt this new term as directed by an executive order issued by President Donald Trump.
Julie Pace, AP’s Executive Editor, released a statement explaining that the White House had informed the organization that if they did not align with President Trump’s executive order, they would be barred from attending an official event. This included a signing ceremony for the executive order, where President Trump was set to make important announcements regarding federal workforce reductions.
Pace expressed concern over the administration’s decision to block a reporter, emphasizing that this act undermines the free press and impedes independent journalism. She also argued that limiting access to the Oval Office based on editorial choices runs counter to the First Amendment and limits the public’s access to unbiased news.
Trump’s executive order, which renames the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, is part of a broader effort to reassert American sovereignty over geographic names. On his first day in office, Trump also reversed President Obama’s renaming of Alaska’s Denali back to its original name, Mount McKinley, in honor of the 25th President of the United States.
While the AP has agreed to acknowledge the Gulf of America as Trump’s new designation, they have maintained that the name “Gulf of Mexico” remains more widely recognized globally. This decision reflects the AP’s commitment to providing clarity for its international audience. The AP also clarified its stance by stating it would continue using “Mount McKinley” in line with its editorial guidelines.
In response to the AP’s exclusion, Eugene Daniels, president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, condemned the White House’s actions. He reaffirmed the right of news organizations to report independently without facing retribution for editorial choices. This disagreement underscores the ongoing tension between the Trump administration and the press, especially as it pertains to the freedom of the media in holding the government accountable.
Additionally, despite resistance from news agencies like the AP, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and services like Google Maps have begun implementing the new name, signaling that the Gulf of America may become more widely recognized over time.