Sean Whelan

Washington Correspondent

BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 19: U.S. President-elect Donald Trump greets Elon Musk as he arrives to attend a viewing of the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket on November 19, 2024 in Brownsville, Texas. SpaceX’s billionaire ow

It's been one big beautiful bust-up for Trump and Musk

Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill has caused one big beautiful bust-up with Elon Musk.

Analysis and Comment • 07 Jun

Donald Trump's social media post announcing a 50% tariff on EU imports to the US had a laxative effect on financial market traders on both sides of the Atlantic

What is behind Donald Trump's 50% tariff on EU imports?

What is behind the US President Donald Trump's 50% tariff on EU imports to the US? RTÉ's Washington correspondent Sean Whelan looks at the latest developments on both sides of the Atlantic as well as what may happen in the aftermath following the US president's shock announcement

Analysis and Comment • 24 May

Donald Trump shows pictures and articles to Cyril Ramaphosa during their meeting in the Oval Office

Oval Office 'ambush' shapes US-South Africa relations

Ambush. That is the word most used by US media to describe yesterday's explosive White House confrontation between President Donald Trump and his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa.

Analysis and Comment • 22 May

The meeting comes as US President Donald Trump is threatening to boycott the G20 summit in South Africa in November

Fears of explosive encounter as Trump meets Ramaphosa

US President Donald Trump receives South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House today, for what some observers think could be the most explosive encounter since that notorious meeting with Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky.

Analysis and Comment • 21 May

Donald Trump was welcomed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud upon his arrival in Riyadh (Pic: Bandar al-Jaloud/Saudi Royal Court)

Trump's Mid East trip marks shift in US vision for region

US President Donald Trump arrived back to Washington after his Middle East visit late on Friday night aboard the vintage Boeing 747 that he wants to get rid of.

Analysis and Comment • 18 May

Reportedly reserved by nature, quiet 'not a show pony', as one friend told TV news, the new Pope does not sound like someone who wants to take on the US President in public

How will the 267th Pope deal with the 47th US President?

People used to say that only Richard Nixon could go to China, so maybe only an American Pope can act as a moral check on the US President and his MAGA movement's most extreme positions, writes Sean Whelan.

Analysis and Comment • 09 May

People in Yemen check the rubble of a building hit in US strikes (File image)

Trump says US will stop bombing Houthis in Yemen

US President Donald Trump has announced a ceasefire in the US campaign against Houthi missile attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.

World • 06 May

The nominee to be ambassador to Ireland, Edward Walsh, is from New Jersey, where he runs a project management company providing services to the construction industry

US ambassadors to Ireland, EU given their instructions

It wasn't so much a questioning of the ambassadors, as a setting down of foreign policy talking points that the senators want to see being delivered in Dublin, Paris and the Hague for the remainder of US President Donald Trump's term.

Analysis and Comment • 04 May

Edward Walsh is from New Jersey where he runs a project management company

Ambassador to Ireland nominee attends US Senate hearing

A hearing has taken place in the United States concerning President Donald Trump's nominee for the position of US Ambassador to Ireland.

US • 03 May

US President Donald Trump has signed 137 executive orders during his first 100 days in office

Economy remains key issue during Trump's first 100 days

Wednesday marks the first 100 days of the second Trump administration - that notional period in which presidencies are supposed to define themselves and set down the main themes for the remainder of the term.

US • 28 Apr