Who is Ebony McMorris, the AURN Reporter Trump Called ‘Really Obnoxious’?

On Friday, September 19, 2025, President Donald Trump clashed with reporter Ebony McMorris during a heated White House press conference. McMorris, who reports for American Urban Radio Networks (AURN), pressed the president on his plan to deploy the National Guard to Memphis to tackle rising crime.

Reporter: Mr. President what about…

Trump: Quiet. You are reallly obnoxious.

Reporter: I’m not obnoxious. I’m trying to ask you about your plans for Memphis.

Trump: You are really obnoxious. I’m not gonna talk to you.

(How is this guy a president? This is embarrassing) pic.twitter.com/WWTOArUPSL

— Ron Smith (@Ronxyz00) September 19, 2025

When she began asking, “When are you going to give details,” Trump cut her off, saying, “Quiet. You’re really obnoxious.” Despite his interruption, McMorris continued, calmly stating, “I’m not obnoxious, but I’m trying to ask you about your plans for Memphis.” Trump refused to take any further questions from her for the rest of the press event.

Her line of questioning reflected growing concern over federal deployments of National Guard troops in cities such as Memphis, Washington DC, and Los Angeles. Critics argue that these deployments raise questions about community impact and local consultation.

Ebony McMorris’ Journalism Career

Ebony McMorris is an award-winning journalist with more than 20 years of experience. She has worked with major outlets including NBC and News One before joining AURN as a White House correspondent.

She grew up in Washington, DC, and graduated from the University of South Carolina. McMorris has built her career by focusing on stories that highlight diverse voices, culture, and social issues.

She is also a multimedia journalist, hosting Business for the Culture, a digital program, and co-hosting a weekly news feature on WHUR-FM in Washington, DC. In addition, she produces Viewpoints Explained, providing video and audio coverage of press conferences and policy updates directly from the White House.

Recognition and Community Work

In 2017, McMorris was honored with the President’s Lifetime Volunteer Service Award for completing more than 4,000 hours of community service. She is deeply involved in mentoring young people interested in media and civic leadership.

She also serves on the Board of the Thurgood Marshall Center, where she supports initiatives related to education, community empowerment, and civic engagement.

Her dedication to journalism and her work outside the newsroom shows her commitment to amplifying voices and building trust with communities that are often left out of national conversations.

A Strong Voice in Political Journalism

The clash with Trump brought national attention to Ebony McMorris. However, for those who follow her work, this was not surprising. She has long been known for asking tough questions and staying firm even when facing pressure.

By continuing to raise issues affecting communities most impacted by government policies, McMorris has established herself as one of the most important voices in today’s White House press corps.