The Associated Press Retracts a Story About Tulsi Gabbard
The Associated Press (AP) recently retracted a story it published on Monday, which incorrectly stated that Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard had referred to President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin as “good friends.” The AP issued a statement explaining that the story had been withdrawn because it did not meet their standards. The original article had mistakenly attributed Gabbard’s comments about Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Trump and Putin. The AP informed its customers about the error and published a corrected version of the story, complete with an editor’s note acknowledging the mistake and apologizing for the confusion.
The Error in Reporting and Its Aftermath
The original link to the AP’s story now leads to a “page unavailable” message, reflecting the outlet’s efforts to distance itself from the erroneous report. In the corrected version, Gabbard is accurately quoted as describing Trump and Modi as “very good friends.” The AP’s editor’s note emphasized transparency, stating that the original article had been deleted due to “erroneous reporting.” This incident highlights the importance of accuracy in journalism and the potential consequences of even minor mistakes in high-profile reporting.
Reaction from Tulsi Gabbard’s Team
Tulsi Gabbard’s deputy chief of staff, Alexa Henning, was quick to respond to the AP’s error. Taking to the social media platform X, Henning harshly criticized the AP, calling the outlet “total trash” and accusing it of intentional bias. She pointed out that Gabbard had clearly referred to Trump and Modi, not Putin, and expressed frustration over the media’s perceived political agenda. Henning’s comments reflect a broader distrust of mainstream media, which many believe prioritizes sensationalism over factual accuracy.
The AP’s History of Conflict with the White House
The Associated Press has had a tense relationship with the Trump White House since Trump took office. The outlet has been barred from certain White House events, reportedly due to its refusal to refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America,” a name Trump has advocated for. Additionally, the AP has frequently clashed with White House officials over policy and reporting. For instance, during a press briefing on March 11, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt engaged in a heated exchange with AP reporter Josh Boak over the topic of tariffs.
A Heated Exchange Over Tariffs
During the briefing, Boak challenged Leavitt over the administration’s tariff policies, questioning the economic implications of the tariffs imposed by the White House. Leavitt responded by defending the administration’s approach, asserting that fair and balanced trade policies would ultimately benefit the American people. She also criticized Boak’s line of questioning, calling it “insulting” and expressing regret for having given the AP a platform to ask questions. This exchange underscored the ongoing tension between the Trump administration and the media, with both sides accusing the other of bias and incompetence.
The Broader Issue of Media Trust
The AP’s retraction and the subsequent backlash from Gabbard’s team and the White House highlight a deeper issue: the erosion of public trust in the media. While the AP took steps to correct its error and maintain transparency, the incident has been seized upon by critics who accuse mainstream media outlets of prioritizing political narratives over factual accuracy. The clash between the White House and the AP also reflects the broader polarization in American politics, where even routine press briefings can become battlegrounds for competing ideological agendas. As trust in media continues to decline, outlets like the AP face increasing pressure to demonstrate their commitment to impartiality and accuracy.
