Trump Administration’s Dispute with AP Over Iconic Photo Rights

Fox News now offers audio versions of their articles. A recent report from the New York Times highlights a conflict between President Donald Trump’s administration and the Associated Press (AP) concerning the rights to a famous photograph of the president in Butler, Pennsylvania. This photo was taken after an attempt on his life.

The AP and the Trump White House have been at odds since Trump’s election in 2024. Shortly after his inauguration, the AP faced restrictions from the Oval Office and Air Force One. The issue stemmed from the AP’s continued use of the term “Gulf of Mexico” after Trump renamed it the Gulf of America in 2025. This situation has sparked a First Amendment legal battle.

According to the Times, White House advisors linked the AP’s exclusion to a dispute over rights to a viral photo taken by Evan Vucci of Trump with blood on his face and his fist raised. This photo was captured after the assassination attempt. The image quickly gained widespread attention and was featured in newspapers globally.

An AP spokesperson emphasized their commitment to upholding the press’s right to free speech, resisting government control. The White House, however, has not commented on these specific allegations. Requests for comments by Fox News Digital have also gone unanswered.

“We’re focused on continuing to stand for the right of the public and the press to speak freely without government retaliation or control,” a spokesman for the AP stated.

During a July 13, 2024 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump was rushed offstage by Secret Service agents after being grazed by gunfire. This incident occurred months before his re-election campaign and was one of several threats reported against him. The shooter, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired from a rooftop during Trump’s speech on illegal immigration. The attack resulted in the death of firefighter Corey Comperatore and injuries to two others. A Secret Service sniper eventually neutralized the shooter.

Photographer Evan Vucci shared his experience, stating that he understood the significance of the event and aimed to capture it accurately. He described quickly adapting to the situation to photograph the unfolding events.

I knew immediately it was gunfire. I trained my lens on the stage, and I saw Secret Service agents going to run to the president, covering him up. From that moment, I ran to the stage and I got my wide angle lens, and I started making photographs.

Vucci intentionally included the American flag in his shots to enhance the image’s impact. He anticipated Trump’s exit path and captured several significant moments as chaos ensued around the stage.

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