White House cuts Associated Press pool access over 'Gulf of Mexico' naming dispute

The Trump White House restricted the Associated Press's access to White House press pool events in February 2025 after AP declined to adopt Trump's preferred geographic name for the Gulf of Mexico in its editorial standards. A federal judge found the move was likely unconstitutional viewpoint-based retaliation against a news organization for its editorial choices and blocked enforcement. The case became a leading example of the administration's use of access restrictions to pressure media organizations over their coverage.