Leavitt Defends White House Ban on AP Over 'Gulf of America' Controversy

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the administration's decision to bar The Associated Press (AP) from covering an Oval Office event, citing the news outlet's stance on President Trump's executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. The move has sparked controversy and concerns over press freedom.

During a press briefing on Wednesday, Leavitt emphasized that access to the Oval Office is a "privilege" and that the administration retains the right to determine which media outlets are granted entry. "We reserve the right to decide who gets to go into the Oval Office," she stated when questioned about the exclusion of the AP from the event, which involved an executive order signing attended by President Trump and billionaire Elon Musk.

The AP had reported on Tuesday that it was prevented from covering two White House events due to its refusal to "align its editorial standards with President Trump's executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America." The decision has raised concerns among journalists and press freedom organizations, with many viewing it as an attempt to exert control over media coverage.

When pressed by CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins on whether the decision was retaliatory and contrary to the First Amendment, Leavitt defended the administration's stance. "If we feel there are lies being pushed by outlets in this room, we are going to hold those lies accountable," she stated. "And it is a fact that the body of water off the coast of Louisiana is called the Gulf of America, and I’m not sure why news outlets don’t want to call it that, but that is what it is."

Following Trump's directive to rename the Gulf of Mexico, the AP maintained its editorial policy of referring to the body of water by its traditional name while acknowledging the change implemented by the administration. The AP's decision to adhere to this policy led to its exclusion from White House events, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from press freedom advocates and the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA).

The barring of the AP from the Oval Office has intensified the ongoing debate over the Trump administration's relationship with the press and the broader implications for media access and journalistic independence. The WHCA and other advocacy groups have urged the White House to uphold transparency and allow for fair access to all credentialed news organizations.