BULLYING & HATE CRIME: Another Black Female Reporter Insulted By Trump

During a heated White House press conference this past Friday, President Trump clashed with Ebony McMorris, a correspondent for American Urban Radio Networks (AURN) who is one of only a few Black women in the White House press pool. The tense exchange unfolded in the Oval Office as Trump fielded questions from reporters about domestic security, including his controversial plan to deploy National Guard troops to Memphis. When McMorris attempted to press him on the issue, Trump cut her off, labeling her “really obnoxious” before moving on to another journalist.

Video of the moment shows McMorris asking about the administration’s intentions for Memphis, which has faced escalating crime concerns in recent months. As she spoke, Trump interrupted sharply with “Quiet” and then dismissed her as “really obnoxious.” McMorris immediately pushed back, insisting she was simply trying to get an answer, repeating that she was “not obnoxious” but determined to know his plans.

Their back-and-forth quickly became a scene of overlapping voices. McMorris attempted to clarify her question, stressing that “many people wanted to know” how Trump would address safety in Memphis. The president, visibly irritated, doubled down on his remark and refused to engage further, telling her he would not answer until he chose to call on her directly. He then redirected attention to a different reporter, leaving her inquiry unresolved.

The incident sparked swift reaction among fellow journalists and advocacy groups. McMorris, who is also a member of the Washington Association of Black Journalists (WABJ), received immediate support from her peers. The organization released a statement defending her professionalism, pointing out that asking difficult or uncomfortable questions is not “obnoxious” but part of a reporter’s duty to the public.

“Ebony is just doing her job, like everyone else in the room,” the WABJ emphasized in a post on X, rejecting Trump’s attempt to dismiss her. The group added that reporters must be free to challenge public officials without fear of being silenced or ridiculed. Their statement resonated across social media, with many journalists and supporters praising McMorris for holding her ground.

Xina Eiland, an advocate for Black media professionals, wrote a powerful article on Substack saying, “There is a threat to silence Black women journalists and truthtellers… Ebony was simply doing what every member of the press pool does, shout questions to get raw answers from the President. Nothing out of the ordinary. Except in this instance, the reporter refused to be quiet. This affects her Freedom of Press Rights, which is rooted in the U.S. Amendment Rights.”

McMorris, who recently appeared as a speaker at the 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture, has built a reputation for covering pressing national issues and amplifying underrepresented voices. Friday’s confrontation underscored both the combative relationship between Trump and the press and the continued importance of journalists who insist on accountability, even when facing hostility from the highest levels of government.

This is not the first time that Trump has publicly lashed out at a Black female reporter. Earlier this month, NBC News correspondent Yamiche Alcindor asked him about his plans to send the National Guard to Chicago, and he told her, “That’s why you’re second rate.”