Perry extends stay in Trump’s America
RTÉ reporter not ready to come home just yet
‘Lucky to witness story of the century’
RTÉ Washington Correspondent Caitríona Perry is poised to extend her position Stateside for another year, the Irish Mail on Sunday has learned.
Lauded for her performance over the past two years and during the rise of Donald Trump Ms Perry said recently she has ‘been lucky to witness the story of the century’ with President Trump in the White House.
Ms Perry, 37, has six months left of her role, which is normally limited to four years.
Now sources have indicated that she has secured a deal to remain in Washington for at least another year as politics and power play out like never before.
During her tenure there she has visited 40 states, secured an interview with blundering former White House press secretary Sean Spicer, broadcast live from the Oscars and from the Special Olympics in LA.
The journalist found herself at the centre of a story when Mr Trump singled her out from the press pool during a call with newly installed Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
Ms Perry described the incident in the Oval office as ‘bizarre’.
‘One minute we were outside the window and the next minute I’m meeting the President of the United States,’ she said.
‘We were invited inside [the Oval office] to witness the President’s call to the Taoiseach.
‘When we went in he was already on the phone but I caught his eye and he called me over.’
Mr Trump said to Mr Varadkar: ‘We have all of this beautiful Irish press.’ He then asked Ms Perry: ‘Where are you from?’
She approached Mr Trump and introduced herself.
‘She has a nice smile on her face, so I bet she treats you well,’ he said.
Now nine months into Trump’s presidency it seems she is not ready to come home yet.
Her experience is expected to be a major asset if the presidency should end in impeachment or resignation.
An RTÉ spokesman said ‘there were no current announcements regarding the Washington correspondency’.