White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Warns Reporters Against Spreading Lies and Threatens Consequences for False Coverage in Washington, D.C.

During a recent White House briefing, Karoline Leavitt, the press secretary, made it clear that reporters spreading falsehoods about the Trump administration would face consequences.

Her warning came after the White House’s controversial decision to ban the Associated Press (AP) from attending certain events due to the news outlet’s refusal to follow President Trump’s executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.”

Leavitt emphasized the privileges that come with covering the White House, stating, “It’s a privilege to cover this White House, and nobody has the right to ask the President of the United States questions. It’s an invitation that is given.”

She further added, “If we feel that there are lies being pushed by outlets, we are going to hold those lies accountable.”

AP Banned Over Gulf Name Dispute

The tension between the Trump administration and the AP flared when the White House informed the news organization that they would be barred from certain events if they did not use the new name for the Gulf.

The AP, sticking to its editorial standards, declined to refer to the body of water as the “Gulf of America,” as per Trump’s executive order.

The decision to bar the AP was quickly criticized by Julie Pace, the AP’s executive editor.

She called it “alarming” and argued that it violated the First Amendment by limiting the public’s access to independent journalism.

Despite this, the AP was excluded from coverage of key events, including Trump’s meeting with Elon Musk and a later greeting of American hostage Marc Foley.

However, an AP photographer was still allowed to cover both events.

The White House’s Push for ‘Gulf of America’

Leavitt defended the name change, saying that the “Gulf of America” was now the official designation, and that it was crucial to “get it right.”

She pointed out that the Secretary of the Interior had recognized the name change, as had major companies like Google and Apple.

“It’s very important to this administration that we get that right,” Leavitt insisted, adding that the new name was essential for both domestic and international recognition.

The AP, on the other hand, maintained its stance, citing its commitment to using the established name, “Gulf of Mexico,” due to its long history and global recognition.

In its official style guide, the AP also acknowledged the new name but clarified that it would continue to refer to the body of water by its original title.

White House Briefing System Under Scrutiny

Aside from the dispute over the Gulf’s name, Leavitt also took the opportunity to critique the current system for covering the president.

She pointed out that not all journalists have access to cover the president on Air Force One or attend events in the Oval Office due to space and logistical restrictions.

The White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) manages a “pool system” where a select group of reporters from various media outlets attend these events and send out reports.

Leavitt defended the system, emphasizing that the White House reserves the right to choose who gets access to the Oval Office and other key areas.

While hundreds of journalists are credentialed to cover the White House, only a few participate in these exclusive pool events.

The cost of travel with the president often restricts smaller outlets from gaining access, which Leavitt acknowledged.

Nonetheless, she stressed that outlets like the AP, which are credentialed, should recognize the rules and limitations set in place.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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