Sean Whelan

Washington Correspondent

Black and white photo of former Irish swiming coach George Gibney

George Gibney agrees to extradition to Ireland for trial

Former Olympic swimming coach George Gibney has agreed to be extradited from the United States to stand trial in Ireland.

Courts • 10 Jul

US President Donald Trump displays the signed bill during a ceremony for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Friday, July 4, 2025. Trump signed his $3.4 trillion budget bill into law Friday, enshri

Hope that gain masks pain as Trump signs 'beautiful' bill

Donald Trump signed his "One Big Beautiful Bill" in the Oval Office last night. It is possibly the most consequential thing he will do in domestic American politics in his second term.

US • 05 Jul

Maxar satellite imagery provides a wide overview of the Fordow nuclear complex in Iran, which was bombed by the US

Bombs away - what now after US attack on Iran?

You can actually understand why Donald Trump was a bit miffed about the public (i.e. media) reaction to last weekend's bombing raid on Iran, writes Sean Whelan.

Analysis and Comment • 28 Jun

US Vice President JD Vance, from left, Marco Rubio, US secretary of state, Pete Hegseth, US secretary of defense, and US President Donald Trump arrive for an address to the nation in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Saturday, Jun

After Iran attack, the question for Trump is how it ends

On Thursday, US President Donald Trump said he would make his mind up on attacking Iran within two weeks. In fact it took just two days.

US • 22 Jun

Does Newsom's 'rule of Don' attack lay ground for 2028?

Was this the moment California's Governor Gavin Newsom finally threw his hat in the ring for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination?

US • 11 Jun

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