The Trump administration took issue with the Associated Press (AP) regarding the rights to a significant photo of the president in Butler, Pennsylvania. This photo was taken after an assassination attempt, according to a report by the New York Times. Tensions between AP and the Trump White House are notable, as the media organization had been banned from the Oval Office and Air Force One. This followed the AP’s decision to continue referring to the ‘Gulf of Mexico’ even after Trump renamed it ‘Gulf of America’ in 2025. The ban has led to an ongoing First Amendment case in court.
A New York Times report highlighted that the restriction also related to the AP’s refusal to grant rights to the renowned image of Trump taken after he was shot. Two sources cited private discussions between Trump and network anchors in 2025, indicating the dispute over photographer Evan Vucci’s viral photo contributed to the AP’s exclusion from White House access.
An AP spokesperson commented, “We’re focused on continuing to stand for the right of the public and the press to speak freely without government retaliation or control.” Despite these statements, the White House had not explained its reasons to AP, and it did not immediately reply to Fox News Digital’s request for comments.
The critical incident occurred on July 13, 2024, during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when Trump was rushed offstage by Secret Service agents after gunfire grazed his upper right ear. The gunman, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired from the roof of a nearby building, killing firefighter Corey Comperatore and injuring two men, before being killed by a Secret Service sniper.
Moments after being tackled to the ground, Trump signaled resilience. As he was led to his motorcade, he raised his fist and exclaimed “fight” three times, prompting the crowd to cheer “U-S-A!”
Evan Vucci’s viral photo captured Trump with a raised fist, blood on his face, and swiftly spread worldwide. Reflecting on the moment, Vucci stated, “I was literally just thinking about doing the best possible job I could because I knew this was a moment in American history that I had to be at the top of my game for.”
Vucci used a wide-angle lens to capture the scene, including the flag as well as Secret Service agents covering the president. Spotting an SUV by the stage, he anticipated Trump’s exit route, positioning himself to capture a defining moment as Trump left the stage to applause.