A clash over nomenclature has erupted between the White House and The Associated Press (AP), resulting in restricted access for AP reporters to presidential events. The contention stems from the AP's refusal to adopt the name "Gulf of America" in place of "Gulf of Mexico," a change directed by President Trump on his first day in office.

While organizations like Google have complied with the renaming, the AP has maintained its usage of the original name, acknowledging the new designation but not adopting it in their reporting. This stance has drawn criticism from White House officials, leading to the exclusion of AP reporters from Oval Office events and Air Force One.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich addressed the situation on X (formerly Twitter), stating that the AP's refusal to adopt the name change reflects a commitment to misinformation. He indicated that the access previously granted to the AP would be extended to other reporters, while AP journalists would retain their general White House credentials.

The AP responded by emphasizing the importance of freedom of speech and asserting that the White House's actions infringe upon this fundamental right. AP spokesperson Lauren Easton highlighted the constitutional protection of free speech, arguing that restricting coverage based on word choice undermines this right.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the administration's position, stating the "Gulf of America" is the factual name and questioning why news organizations resist its use. This disagreement escalated when AP Senior Vice President and Executive Editor Julie Pace wrote to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, protesting the restriction of AP reporters and characterizing it as a form of retaliation against the AP's reporting.

The AP has published further guidance on their decision to continue using "Gulf of Mexico." The dispute underscores the tension between the White House and the press regarding terminology and access to presidential events.