Staff Reports
The Associated Press, long known for its quaint insistence on calling the Gulf of Mexico by its outdated name, found itself in a sticky situation after President Trump officially renamed it the Gulf of America. In a move that is causing ripples far beyond the shores of this body of water, the AP has dug in its heels, adamantly refusing to recognize the new moniker that reflects a patriotic spirit.
As President Trump held a meeting with the king of Jordan, the AP apparently thought it could come along for the ride, only to find itself locked out of the Oval Office. Reports indicate that the AP faced a double whammy, being barred from not just one but two key events, elite gatherings where statecraft and diplomacy were on full display. One can only imagine the horror of the AP’s leadership, who, while they may be clutching their pearls, are perhaps too mired in the past to realize the importance of embracing change.
Here is @AP response to White House blocking reporter access to Oval due to editorial policy of not renaming the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America in copy. pic.twitter.com/HrZkgpXrZj
— Jarrett Renshaw (@JarrettRenshaw) February 11, 2025
Executive Editor Tara Copp took to social media to express the organization’s grievances. She noted that the AP recognizes the Gulf by its “old” name while begrudgingly acknowledging the Trump administration’s order for the name switch. The irony is rich, considering how the AP has previously adjusted its style guidelines to accommodate various politically correct demands—yet somehow, the patriotic spirit that is embodied in the new name appears to be a bridge too far.
Adding to the spectacle was the furious reaction from CNN’s Brian Stelter, who seems to believe that access to information is a divine right. Stelter managed to spin the episode into an existential crisis for journalism, likening Trump’s refusal to roll out the red carpet to unbridled authoritarianism. One wonders if he’d be just as upset if the president announced that the Pacific Ocean was set to be renamed the Eastern Sea, but perhaps that’s a discussion for another day.
The White House’s actions send a powerful message to the media: Fall in line, or risk being left out of the loop. It appears that not only is this a dispute over geographical nomenclature, but also a reminder that today’s media can no longer take for granted the cozy relationship it once enjoyed with political power. The days of reporting without consequence might be over, and outlets that resist might just find themselves swimming against the current—perhaps in what will now officially be known as the Gulf of America.
