Court Backs Trump in AP Access Dispute

A federal appeals court, in a 2-1 decision, ruled that President Donald Trump may exclude the Associated Press (AP) from access to the Oval Office, Air Force One, and Mar-a-Lago, overturning a lower court's order that had temporarily restored AP’s access. The court found these spaces are not public forums under the First Amendment, giving the president broad discretion to admit or exclude journalists, even based on viewpoint. The dispute began after AP refused to use the administration's preferred term 'Gulf of America' instead of 'Gulf of Mexico.' The AP retains the right to attend events in larger venues like the East Room, where credentialed media are generally allowed. A dissenting judge warned that the decision undermines the free press, while AP and other outlets criticized the restriction. The ruling marks a significant setback for AP as its First Amendment challenge continues in court.