News agency AP loses legal battle with Trump

The dispute with the US news agency Associates Press was sparked by a name: AP refuses to refer to the world-famous Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America." US President Donald Trump decreed this by executive order after taking office on January 20, 2025. The agency points out that the sea area has had its name for more than 400 years. Furthermore, AP emphasizes in its editorial language regulations that, as a news provider for clients around the world, it must use geographical names that are understandable to all recipients. However, the name change decreed by Trump only applies to the US – Mexico and other countries are not required to follow suit.

Since February 11, the US government has excluded AP journalists from several official events and largely banned them from the White House.

The 27-page ruling by an appeals court in Washington, D.C., partially suspended a lower court's order pending a further decision.

April ruling largely overturned

In April, a federal judge ordered the White House to grant AP access to "designated-access presidential areas" if they were also open to other journalists. This applied to Trump's Oval Office, the presidential plane, Air Force One, and Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, for example. The US government appealed the ruling.

The court ruled that it is at the discretion of the White House to decide which journalists are granted access to restricted areas. The situation is different for larger events, such as the less restricted East Room. The order will not be suspended for this part of the White House—so AP reporters must be granted access there.

The AP, founded in 1846, is the largest news agency in the United States. According to a spokesperson, it intends to explore its options. The Associated Press is also one of the most important agencies worldwide.

Trump: "Fake News"

Trump regularly accuses the AP and other media outlets that report critically on the American government of spreading "fake news." Now, on his online platform Truth Social, the US president spoke of a "major victory over AP." "They refuse to state the facts or the truth about the Gulf of America," the Republican wrote. "Fake news!!!"

At events, the US government prefers to grant privileged access to the White House to numerous right-wing media outlets, influencers, bloggers, and podcasters, which it calls "new media." It is striking that their representatives often ask Trump sympathetic questions at press conferences.

Trump's spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt also welcomed the appeals court's decision on the online service X. She announced that access to "new media" would be further expanded.

se/pg (dpa, ap, afp, rtr)