Conservative News Outlets Defy Trump, Side with AP in Fight Over 'Gulf of Mexico' Usage

Conservative media outlets Newsmax and Fox News have joined dozens of news organizations in condemning Donald Trump and the White House's decision to bar the Associated Press (AP) over its refusal to use the term "Gulf of America" instead of "Gulf of Mexico."

The dispute began on February 11, when the Trump administration blocked two AP reporters from attending White House events, escalating tensions over an executive order mandating the name change of the Gulf of Mexico, Newsmax reported.

The AP, adhering to its longstanding editorial policy, refused to comply, stating that the geographical name had been recognized internationally for over 400 years.

The White House Correspondents' Association, along with press freedom groups, swiftly condemned the move. Meanwhile, White House officials defended the ban, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt arguing that media access was a privilege, not a right.

Despite Trump's repeated justifications for the AP ban, backlash grew as major media organizations—including CNN, The Washington Post and The New York Times—signed a letter urging the White House to reinstate the AP's access.

Surprisingly, conservative outlets such as Newsmax and Fox News also supported the AP's First Amendment rights, despite historically aligning with Trump's media criticisms.

"We can understand President Trump's frustration because the media has often been unfair to him, but Newsmax still supports the AP's right, as a private organization, to use the language it wants to use in its reporting," a Newsmax spokesperson stated.

The outlet also warned that a future administration could target conservative media in a similar fashion.

Meanwhile, the White House doubled down on its stance. Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich announced on Friday that the AP's exclusion would remain indefinite, reinforcing Trump's claim that the outlet was engaging in "dishonest reporting."

The AP has vowed to fight back, with executive editor Julie Pace asserting that the organization will "vigorously defend its constitutional rights," according to the New York Times.

Press freedom groups, including the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, have also escalated their advocacy efforts, warning that the administration's actions set a dangerous precedent for government overreach in press matters.