White House Defends Pulling AP’s Oval Office Access Over ‘Gulf of Mexico’

President Trump is sending a powerful message to the media … kiss my govt orders, or pay the worth — and his press secretary is laying down the legislation in no unsure phrases.

Sounding very very like the brand new sheriff on the town, Karoline Leavitt barked at reporters Wednesday when somebody raised the subject of the administration pulling the Related Press’ entry to the Oval Workplace, as a result of the outlet nonetheless refers back to the Gulf of Mexico by that label, and never the one POTUS decreed in considered one of his first govt orders.

Leavitt stated, “I used to be very upfront in my briefing on day 1. If we really feel that there are lies being pushed by shops on this room, we’re going to maintain these lies accountable.”

AP was not current for Trump’s joint briefing Tuesday within the Oval Workplace with Elon Musk, and on Wednesday the outlet revealed it was throughout that … effectively, we’ll simply name it THAT physique of water.

The outlet’s defending its stance by mentioning it stories for the world — not simply the U.S. — and since some international locations will not be calling it the Gulf of America, they have not made the change.

If this all appears kinda petty, that is as a result of it’s … nevertheless, there is a very actual First Modification subject right here.

As CNN’s Kaitlan Collins requested Leavitt, is the president going to “retaliate towards reporters who do not use the language that you simply guys consider reporters ought to use?”

Leavitt’s reply was a not-so-subtle … hell sure.

She identified Google and Apple’s maps have fallen in line — however, for what it is price, Nationwide Geographic remains to be utilizing the outdated identify, and famed mapmakers Rand McNally say they’re ready for official phrase from the Dept. of the Inside.

Making a mountain out of this explicit molehill is an fascinating transfer for Prez Trump, who’s made an enormous deal about embracing freedom of speech.