- White House now selects media outlets covering President Trump.
- Associated Press banned for refusing to use “Gulf of America” instead of “Gulf of Mexico.”
- Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt claims change modernizes media access.
- Media groups raise First Amendment concerns.
- Federal judge denies AP’s immediate reinstatement request.
In a significant shift, the White House announced that it will now decide which news outlets can cover President Donald Trump’s events. Previously, the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) managed press pool assignments. However, this change aims to modernize press coverage by rotating traditional outlets and, at the same time, including streaming services.
According to Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, “A select group of D.C.-based journalists should no longer have a monopoly of press access at the White House.” She emphasized that this new approach seeks to create a more diverse media environment. As a result, it gives new platforms a chance to participate while maintaining a balanced rotation of established outlets.
Meanwhile, the Associated Press (AP) faced a ban from certain presidential events after it refused to use “Gulf of America,” as ordered by President Trump. The AP continued using “Gulf of Mexico” for international clarity. Consequently, the White House excluded the AP from events in the Oval Office and on Air Force One. President Trump linked this ban to the AP’s lawsuit challenging his administration’s press access policies, stating, “We’re going to be now calling those shots.”
Legal Battle Over Press Freedom Intensifies
The AP filed a federal lawsuit, claiming the ban violates First Amendment rights. They sought immediate reinstatement, arguing it harmed their news coverage. However, US District Judge Trevor N. McFadden denied the request. He stated there wasn’t enough proof of irreparable harm. Despite urging the administration to reconsider, current case law doesn’t favor the White House.
Media organizations and free speech advocates strongly criticized the White House’s decision. WHCA President Eugene Daniels said, “This move tears at the independence of a free press in the United States.” Similarly, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press called the policy change “a drastic shift in how the public obtains information about its government.”
Experts are also raising concerns about the decision’s impact on press freedom. They warn that letting the administration choose which journalists get access could undermine the press’s role in holding the government accountable. Jon Marshall, a media history professor at Northwestern University, stated, “This is a dangerous move for democracy.” He stressed the risk of the president controlling coverage of the executive branch.
The White House’s decision to limit press access and ban the AP has ignited heated debates about press freedom and First Amendment rights. Legal battles over the issue are ongoing. The final outcome could shape future media-government relations, influencing how the public receives information.