Reporters Without Borders

02/19/2025

The Trump administration’s most overt anti-press freedom moves have been direct threats and restrictions against journalists and their outlets.

Editorial interference: On February 11, the Associated Press (AP) news agency was informed by the White House that it would be barred from attending official events. According to its Executive Editor Julie Pace, the ban was retaliation for the AP style guide’s continued use of the “Gulf of Mexico” rather than the “Gulf of America” following an executive order renaming the body of water.

Limits to reporting access: The administration is limiting journalists’ physical access to government information by restricting access to its pool reports and allowing ideologically-friendly content creators to apply for access to the White House and Pentagon, while ending the longstanding residencies of NBC News, The New York Times, National Public Radio, and Politico.

Personal attacks and social media harassment: Donald Trump and Elon Musk, who Trump brought in to drastically reduce the size and scope of the federal government, publicly insult journalists by name for their reporting and call for their removal.

Contradictions on free speech: Despite claiming to be a “free speech absolutist,” Musk called for CBS’s 60 Minutes staff to receive “a long prison sentence” for interviewing a critic of his policies.

Legal intimidation: Trump settled a lawsuit with ABC parent company Disney but continues to sue CBS, the Des Moines Register, Gannett, and the Pulitzer Center over unfavorable coverage.

Misleading allegations: Musk falsely claimed Reuters and Politico received improper government subsidies, leading to punitive actions. President Trump ordered government agencies to cancel any subscriptions to Politico Pro after negative coverage of Elon Musk, using his political power to punish dissent.

Pardons for violence against journalists: Trump pardoned over a dozen individuals charged with or convicted of violent crimes against journalists at the US Capitol during the insurrection on January 6, 2021.