The Washington Post
A White House official said Friday that the Associated Press – an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting since 1846 – will be prevented from having reporters attend events in the Oval Office or fly with the president on Air Force One, a prohibition that could severely limit the news organization’s ability to cover the administration.

It was the latest escalation in a clash between the White House and the AP, which since Tuesday has been prevented from covering official administration events because of a decision to continue using the name Gulf of Mexico, rather than Gulf of America.

White House deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich said AP reporters will retain their press passes but will have their access limited.

“The Associated Press continues to ignore the lawful geographic name change of the Gulf of America,” he wrote in a post on X. “This decision is not just divisive, but it also exposes the Associated Press’ commitment to misinformation. While their right to irresponsible and dishonest reporting is protected by the First Amendment, it does not ensure their privilege of unfettered access to limited spaces, like the Oval Office and Air Force One. Going forward, that space will now be opened up to the many thousands of reporters who have been barred from covering these intimate areas of the administration.”

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