Overview

• A federal judge has ruled that the White House must reinstate Associated Press (AP) access to presidential events, citing First Amendment protections.
• The Trump administration excluded AP in February 2025 after the agency refused to adopt the president's rebranded term 'Golf von Amerika' for the Gulf of Mexico.
• Judge Trevor McFadden stated the government cannot selectively deny media access based on editorial decisions or viewpoints.
• AP, the largest U.S. news agency, maintains the historical name 'Gulf of Mexico,' citing a 400-year tradition and journalistic independence.
• The decision highlights escalating tensions between the Trump administration and the press, with media leaders warning of increased governmental pressure on journalistic freedoms.