Trump restricts media access and universities' free speech rights

President Donald Trump and the Republican Party position themselves as champions of free speech. However, critics argue that Trump is limiting this freedom to suit his own agenda. A recent example is the decision to revoke The Associated Press' access to the White House. This action followed the AP's refusal to conform to Trump's new executive order that renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Trump's administration is known for its controversial moves regarding journalism and protests. After taking office, Trump threatened to deport students involved in anti-Israel protests. His administration also warned about denying federal funding to universities that allow what he calls "illegal protests" and those with certain diversity programs. These actions have alarmed many in the academic community. They see them as an attack on academic freedom. Trump has started investigations into multiple colleges for various reasons, including alleged antisemitism and race-based scholarships. Columbia University, for instance, faces a threat of losing significant funding unless it changes its policies. In a speech to the Department of Justice, Trump suggested that some media organizations should be considered corrupt and illegal for their negative coverage of him. His speeches often mix serious warnings with storytelling, making it hard to determine where he stands on certain issues. Overall, critics suggest that Trump's version of free speech is selective. They worry that he aims to control the narrative and limit the expression of dissenting views.