The White House barred an Associated Press journalist from covering President Donald Trump’s executive order signing on Tuesday after the news outlet persisted in mentioning the ‘Gulf of Mexico’ instead of adopting the administration’s preference for the ‘Gulf of America’.
Earlier that day, the White House cautioned the AP, a publication widely respected for its stylebook, that failure to align with the new terminology would result in the exclusion of its reporter from the event.
AP’s Response and White House Action
Despite the warning, the AP maintained its stance, prompting the White House to follow through on its threat.
Julie Pace, the AP’s executive editor, condemned the punitive measure, emphasizing the importance of press freedom and the First Amendment.
History vs. Change
The AP justified its stance by citing the historical precedence and lack of international recognition for the new name.
While the AP stood firm on the Gulf of Mexico issue, it did adjust its style guide to reflect Trump’s decision to rename Mount McKinley.
Google Maps Reflects Change
Following Trump’s order, users of Google Maps in the U.S. noticed the updated ‘Gulf of America’ designation.
The White House did not provide immediate comment on the matter.
For more updates on this evolving story, stay tuned as we continue to monitor the situation.
