Trump Pressed On ‘What It Would Take’ For Him to Stop Punishing The Associated Press
Veteran political reporter Marc Caputo asked President Donald Trump on Tuesday “what it would take” for his administration to stop punishing the Associated Press.
“What would it take for you to reconsider the restrictions on the Associated Press? And, secondly, some of your advisers are concerned with the Associated Press’s style guide using language and giving guidance to not use words like ‘illegal immigrant’ or to use phrases like ‘gender-affirming care.’ And they’re concerned about that being– encroaching on liberalism in the way in which the press writes about things. Do you share those concerns?” Caputo asked Trump as he took questions in Mar-a-Lago.
“Well, I do think that some of the phrases that they want to use are ridiculous. And I think, frankly, they became obsolete, especially in the last three weeks because many things have happened in the last three weeks,” Trump replied, adding:
And I didn’t know about that. But I would say that if they want to use certain phrases like that and I guess some are okay, but many aren’t. But the Associated Press just refuses to go with what the law is and what is taking place. It’s called the Gulf of America. Now, it’s not called the Gulf of Mexico any longer.
I have the right to do it just like we have the right to do Mount McKinley. And nobody’s even challenging that, but only the assertion. Essentially, it’s primarily the Associated Press, and I don’t know what they’re doing, but I just say that we’re going to keep them out until such time as they agree that it’s the Gulf of America.
We’re very proud of this country and we want it to be the Gulf of America. Now, the Associated Press, as you know, has been very, very wrong on the election, on Trump, and the treatment of Trump, and other things having to do with Trump and Republicans and conservatives.
And they’re doing us no favors. And I guess I’m not doing them any favors. That’s the way life works.
“But, you know, thank you for the question. Who are you with?” Trump asked Caputo, who replied Axios.
“Very good question. Thank you,” concluded Trump.
Caputo reported on Monday that Trump’s administration is targeting the AP, barring reporters from flying on Air Force One and from Oval Office events, over their style guide. “By spotlighting AP, Trump is amplifying Republican and conservative criticisms that the AP Stylebook, a first reference for most U.S. news organizations, shapes political dialogue by favoring liberal words and phrases concerning gender, immigration, race, and law enforcement,” Caputo wrote.
Watch the clip above via Fox News.
