On February 18, U.S. President Trump announced that the Associated Press would be denied access to the Oval Office and Air Force One until they agree to refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. The President's directive to rename the body of water was issued in January. However, the AP, adhering to its editorial guidelines, continues to use the traditional name for the Gulf.
The White House has excluded the AP from various press pool events over the past week, criticizing the news agency's stance as divisive and spreading misinformation. Trump addressed the issue publicly for the first time on Tuesday at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, stating, "We're going to keep them out until such time as they agree that it's the Gulf of America."
Despite this restriction, the AP retains access to the White House complex. The news agency explains in its stylebook that the Gulf of Mexico has been known by that name for over 400 years and as a global news provider, it will acknowledge Trump's chosen name while still using the original one.
AP spokesperson Lauren Easton emphasized, "This is about the government dictating to the public and the press what terminology to use and taking action if they don't comply with official orders."
The White House Correspondents' Association, representing journalists covering the president, has sided with the AP. Most news organizations, including Reuters, continue to refer to the body of water as the Gulf of Mexico. However, Reuters, in line with journalistic standards, includes mention of Trump's executive order where pertinent.
"Reuters supports the Associated Press and other media outlets in opposing the limitations on coverage imposed by the White House, due to the AP's independent editorial choices," Reuters stated in a release on Saturday.