The White House says it will limit Associated Press journalists’ access to the Oval Office and Air Force One, an escalation of a brooding conflict between the Trump administration and the wire service this week.
“The Associated Press continues to ignore the lawful geographic name change of the Gulf of America,” White House deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich said in a post on social media platform X on Friday.
“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,” the spokesman added.
The spokesman said going forward the AP will not get “unfettered access to limited spaces, like the Oval Office and Air Force One” and “space will now be opened up” to other journalists covering White House events.
“Associate Press journalists and photographers will retain their credentials to the White House complex,” Budowich said.
The announcement comes days after the White House barred the AP from covering a number of White House events over its refusal to change its style on “Gulf of Mexico” to “Gulf of America.”
The White House Correspondents’ Association had condemned the administration for a second time after AP reporters were barred from a press conference involving President Trump and India’s prime minister.
The Hill has reached out to the AP for comment.
— Developing
