News/Commentary

WH blasts AP for ‘weaponizing’ language: ‘This isn’t just about the Gulf of America’

February 18, 2025 | | Print Article

After barring one news organization from privileged access to the president, the White House called out the “partisan worldview” pushed through “weaponizing language.”

Readily understood by anyone who has been confronted by gender ideology, arguments surrounding philosophies of the woke and outright Marxists often hinge upon terminology. If for no other purpose, President Donald Trump brought this issue front and center recently as his executive order on the Gulf of America found the Associated Press refusing to budge.

Following the president’s order, the AP StyleBook addressed the continued use of the designation “Gulf of Mexico” resulting in their reporters being barred from the Oval Office and Air Force One.

“This isn’t just about the Gulf of America,” explained White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich to Axios. “This is about AP weaponizing language through their stylebook to push a partisan worldview in contrast with the traditional and deeply held beliefs of many Americans and many people around the world.”

Late last week, Budowich posted to X, “The Associated Press continues to ignore the lawful geographic name change of the Gulf of America. This decision is not just divisive, but it also expose the Associated Press’ commitment to misinformation.”

“While their right to irresponsible and dishonest reporting is protected by the First Amendment, it does not ensure their privilege of unfettered access to limited spaces, like the Oval Office and Air Force One,” he went on. “Going forward, that space will now be opened up to many thousands of reporters who have been barred from covering these intimate areas of the administration. Associate Press journalists and photographers will retain their credentials to the White House complex.”

In response to Trump’s executive order and the subsequent declaration of Gulf of America Day while en route to the Super Bowl, the Stylebook determined, “The Gulf of Mexico has carried that name for more than 400 years. The Associated Press will refer to it by its original name while acknowledging the new name Trump has chosen. As a global news agency that disseminates news around the world, the AP must ensure that place names and geography are easily recognizable to all audiences.”

Pushing back on Budowich’s take, AP Vice President of Corporate Communications Lauren Easton insisted to Axios that her organization “is a global, fact-based, nonpartisan news organization with thousands of customers around the world who span the political spectrum.”

“If AP journalism wasn’t factual and nonpartisan, this wouldn’t be the case,” she added while asserting the AP provides “guidance on issues brought to us by members and customers, and it is up to them what they choose to use. Again, this is guidance. It’s not surprising that political parties, organizations, or even individuals may disagree with some entries. The Stylebook doesn’t align with any particular agenda.”

Of course, that stance was readily refuted on social media as users like the account Libs of TikTok highlighted the Stylebook’s positions on topics such as race, gender, and immigration.

“We will lowercase White and Capitalize Black cuz racism, use ‘they’ as a singular for nonbinary people, and avoid mentions of biological sex,” wrote Libs of TikTok while sharing supporting screenshots. “Also AP: Calling it the ‘Gulf of America’ is misinformation and we refuse to do so…Associated Propaganda…”

Kevin Haggerty
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