The Trump administration first revoked the Associated Press’s White House access on February 11, 2025, after the AP refused to use the administration’s preferred term “Gulf of America” in place of “Gulf of Mexico.” This denial of access — applied only to the AP — was widely seen as viewpoint-based retaliation. A federal court later ruled the restriction unconstitutional, but the administration is now appealing that decision.
This Watch Signal reflects a strategic escalation in punishing dissenting media through institutional gatekeeping, rather than outright bans. While no law has changed, the maneuver mirrors authoritarian methods of press control — where access, visibility, and legitimacy are made contingent on editorial compliance.
Note: This tactic is consistent with Project 2025’s stated goals to "restructure public broadcasting and media oversight." It also parallels known strategies in Hungary, Russia, and Venezuela, where soft censorship replaces overt suppression.