Staff Reports
The Trump White House is making waves, demonstrating that being in the privileged circle of daily briefings and White House happenings comes with some serious stipulations. The new administration isn’t taking any nonsense, especially not from the Associated Press, which has found itself on the wrong end of a legal smackdown after some outrageous antics. This latest development isn’t just about access; it’s a full-blown standoff of epic proportions.
Recently, the AP decided to put its foot in its mouth by suing the Trump administration after they were given a cold shoulder for a daily briefing and a White House event. A real power move from White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich served notice that the AP could be replaced at the briefing table faster than you can say “Gulf of America.” The underlying reason for this snub? The Associated Press, in a baffling attempt at political correctness, refused to refer to the “Gulf of Mexico” by its proper name. Their defiance didn’t pay off, as a judge quickly ruled against the AP, making it clear that this is not a fight they are going to win.
WH Press Secretary @karolineleavitt on new press pool changes:⤵️
“The only people upset about this are those who feel like it’s a knock on their power…The power belongs to the people, not elitist journalists in Washington, D.C.”🔥🎯 pic.twitter.com/rJMeJ569JR
— American Media Council (@AmerMediaCncl) February 27, 2025
The fallout isn’t only legal; the AP has also suffered a serious blow in the court of public opinion. Not long after Hamas waged a brutal attack against Israel, it came to light that AP journalists were cozy with terrorists. Their commitment to sharing pro-Hamas narratives has left many scratching their heads. One heart-wrenching example involves Shiri Bibas and her young sons, who tragically lost their lives in the chaos. Instead of highlighting the cold truth of this tragedy, the AP spun their deaths as unclear circumstances, muddying the waters instead of shedding light. They have become masters of misleading narratives, yet they still expect to be treated with respect.
In a comical twist that should have politicians laughing in their seats, in the midst of this controversy, Brian Stelter over at CNN, who is never shy to voice his ‘concerns,’ has been unusually vocal about the Trump administration’s moves against the AP. Stelter’s rants about how this marks a disturbing trend of “newspeak” are laughable, particularly when one remembers his past efforts to uproot Fox News from the press pool—along with forgetting how the WHCA sat silently while the Biden administration clamped down on conservative voices. Let’s just say that some folks need to check their own house before they start tossing stones.
Of course, the press can’t handle a shake-up where their previous gatekeeping has been toppled. Following the AP debacle, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt took center stage and announced a bold transformation in the way White House access is distributed. This isn’t just an olive branch; it’s a full-blown overhaul, giving multiple outlets the chance to ask the hard questions without restriction. The White House Correspondents’ Association, which once held all the trump cards, is now seeing its monopoly challenged, much to their chagrin. They were notably silent during the last administration when hundreds of conservative outlets were showed the door.
As this saga unfolds, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the traditional media outlets are losing their grip on the narrative. Research indicates that more than 60% of younger voters are turning to social media for their news, leaving legacies like the AP and CNN floundering in their rearview mirrors. Meanwhile, the backlash from the common folks less inclined to engage with elitist media has shown that the GOP’s grassroots are still strong. They are tired of the filter of biased media, supporting a president willing to stand against their non-stop political theatrics. The tide is turning, and as more Americans recognize the differences in access, it’s likely they’ll take notice of who they can truly trust.
