White House bars AP journalists from Air Force One and the Oval Office
Yesterday, the White House barred AP journalists from attending events in the Oval Office and traveling aboard Air Force One. This decision stemmed from a dispute over geographical naming conventions; President Trump issued an executive order renaming the “Gulf of Mexico” to the “Gulf of America,” a change the AP chose not to adopt in its reporting. The White House accused the AP of disseminating misinformation, while the AP defended its use of globally recognized terms to maintain clarity for its international audience.
It’s all part of a plan. Shortly after President Trump’s second term began, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr reinstated investigations into alleged bias by major networks such as CNN, ABC, CBS, and NBC (but not FOX). These investigations had previously been dismissed but were revived under Carr’s directive. Selectively, Carr intends to penalize broadcasters he perceives as unfair to President Trump or the Republican Party.
The administration has also engaged in legal actions against media companies. For instance, President Trump filed a $20 billion lawsuit against CBS, alleging election interference by editing a “60 Minutes” interview with Vice President Kamala Harris. This lawsuit raised concerns among Paramount Global executives about potential legal ramifications if they choose to settle, including accusations of bribery and exposure to shareholder lawsuits. The FCC has also initiated an inquiry into CBS’s editing practices, further intensifying the pressure on the network.
In addition to these actions, the FCC launched investigations into NPR and PBS stations, scrutinizing their sponsorships and content. These probes align with President Trump’s criticisms of news organizations he believes portray his administration unfavorably.
All of this makes me wonder how long before the White House gets renamed The Trump Mansion. It reminds me of Orwell’s 1984 when the character Syme explains, “Don’t you see that the whole aim of Newspeak is to narrow the range of thought?