Iconic AP Photographer Slams White House Ban in Court: “It Kills Us”

 

Evan Vucci, the Associated Press photographer behind some of the most unforgettable images following last July’s assassination attempt on President Trump, testified in court Thursday about the damaging effects of the Trump administration’s decision to ban AP journalists from key White House events.

According to Vucci, who has been a fixture in the White House press pool for 21 years, the ban was directly ordered by President Trump as a punitive measure after the AP refused to recognize his declaration to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. The Associated Press is now challenging this move on First Amendment free speech and Fifth Amendment due process grounds.

On the witness stand before U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, Vucci described the daily pressures of his work. In the fiercely competitive world of breaking news photography, even a few seconds’ delay in sending out an image can mean the difference between breaking the story and falling behind. “It kills us, sir,” Vucci said, underscoring the professional anguish caused by missing critical moments. “We’re getting destroyed. Being in the room is vitally important.”

Before the ban, a typical day in the White House for Vucci involved carrying three portable internet devices—each on Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint networks—to ensure no delay in transmitting images. Now, with the AP excluded from many of the president’s most critical events, the organization is forced to rely on third-party sources. This, Vucci stressed, leaves them uncertain if key moments or important details are captured in real time.

Reflecting on the AP’s storied history as a core part of the White House press corps, Vucci recalled one of his most memorable assignments: capturing the infamous shot of an Iraqi journalist hurling a shoe at President George W. Bush in 2008. That image, like his recent work, stands as a testament to the critical role that timely, on-scene reporting plays in holding power to account.

As the legal battle over the White House ban unfolds, Vucci’s testimony offers a rare glimpse into the high stakes of modern journalism—a field where every second counts and the ability to be present can define careers and shape history.