In a dramatic showdown, President Donald Trump’s administration is taking its battle with the Associated Press (AP) to a U.S. federal appeals court. The court is set to hear arguments on Thursday regarding a ruling that allows AP journalists to access White House press events, a right Trump’s team wants to challenge.

The controversy erupted when the White House imposed access restrictions after the AP refused to comply with Trump’s request to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in their reports. In a bold move, the news agency stood by its editorial choice, pointing to centuries of historical context.

According to the Trump administration, the ruling compromises the President’s discretion over who can enter sensitive areas. They have requested a pause on this decision while they pursue an appeal. This case has quickly become emblematic of the ongoing tension between Trump and the media, as the White House seeks to tighten its grip on who gets to ask questions and cover presidential events.

The AP’s legal team has claimed that the White House is flouting the court ruling. They allege that AP journalists are still being sidelined from certain events and that all major news wires, including Reuters and Bloomberg, have experienced similar restrictions.

In a revealing April 8 ruling, U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, appointed by Trump, upheld the AP’s right to attend press events, determining that the administration's restrictions likely violate the First Amendment. The AP’s lawsuit claims that the limited access is an attempt to manipulate media language and undermine their reporting.

A panel of three judges, including two Trump appointees and one nominee from the Obama administration, will weigh in on the administration’s request. They face a pivotal decision that could reshape the landscape of presidential media access.

The AP argues that their stylebook—a standard used by numerous U.S. news organizations—plays a critical role, as it emphasizes the Gulf of Mexico's historical name, defying the administration’s narrative. As the clash continues, America watches closely, as this case could redefine the relationship between the presidency and the press.