President Donald Trump’s war with the Associated Press just took a brutal turn in court, and the irony is impossible to ignore.
It all started when Trump demanded the AP change its style guide to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.” When the news agency refused, his administration retaliated by barring AP reporters from key White House events. In response, the AP hit back with a First Amendment lawsuit, accusing the administration of punishing a news organization for refusing to comply with government-imposed speech.
But the most jaw-dropping moment in court came when a lawyer for the AP held up a striking piece of evidence—Trump’s own book.
The book, Save America, features a dramatic cover photo of Trump at a Pennsylvania rally, moments after an assassination attempt. His fist is raised, defiant. The image? It was taken by Evan Vucci, AP’s chief White House photographer. In a surreal twist, the same administration that blacklisted AP from White House events had no issue profiting from its work.
“Yes,” Vucci confirmed under questioning. “He used my photo on the cover.”
The book, published last September, is currently selling for $92.52 on Amazon.
The legal battle is heating up, with U.S. District Court Judge Trevor N. McFadden previously warning the Trump administration about potential First Amendment violations. However, the White House has refused to lift the AP ban.
“For anyone who thinks this case is just about the name of a body of water, think bigger,” AP Executive Editor Julie Pace wrote in The Wall Street Journal. “It’s really about whether the government can control what you say.”
The fight between Trump and the press is far from over. His administration has already launched FCC investigations into major networks like ABC, CBS, and NBC, moved to dismantle Voice of America, and threatened funding for public broadcasters like PBS and NPR.
Stay tuned—because this battle is only getting started.
