As a relatively young country, the United States is known for undergoing major cultural, political, and economic shifts that frequently reshape the nation’s identity. And given its stature among other global leaders, what happens in America often has very noticeable effects around the world. For those watching the States from afar, correspondent journalism plays a crucial role in helping people make sense of this constant evolution and its impact on their home country.
This is the kind of work that has defined Erik Mouthaan’s career. As the U.S. correspondent for RTL Nieuws (one of the Netherlands’ most watched and trusted news outlets), he’s documented some of America’s most pivotal moments in the past two decades, offering Dutch audiences an intimate look into the maturing of one of the most powerful and influential countries in the world.
Learn more about Mouthaan, his work at RTL Nieuws, and how he’s sharing America’s story with the world.
Pursuing and Honoring a Journalist’s Sacred Duty
Even as a young boy growing up in the Netherlands, Erik Mouthaan has long been fascinated by the idea of understanding and explaining the world around him.
“Since I was a child,” he recalls, “I remember wanting to be one of those people asking the tough questions, figuring things out, and explaining to others how the world works.” This passion led him to pursue a bachelor’s in journalism from Utrecht’s School for Journalism in 1995.
He later joined RTL Nieuws, one of the Netherlands’ leading news outlets. A few years later, he was promoted to be the organization’s official U.S. correspondent. Mouthaan now lives in New York, having spent nearly two decades covering some of the country’s biggest moments. From natural disasters and political unrest to health crises and interviews with world leaders, he’s diligently reported on both America’s state of affairs and the consequences it has worldwide. He’s also recognized as a leading voice within the U.S., having been invited on The Rachel Maddow Show to share his perspective.
Mouthaan sees his work as more than just a career. To him, it’s a sacred duty, saying that “journalism is the first draft of history.” That is, he believes that all journalists have a responsibility to make an accurate, objective record of live events because they are creating the first written record of how life as it’s known today will be remembered for decades to come. It’s a duty that only grows in importance as trust in traditional media declines — with only 40% of audiences expressing confidence in mainstream outlets. That’s why, as a reporter, he’s focused on providing his audience with an informed, unbiased perspective on the events he covers.
The other tenet that guides his work is transparency. In an era where consumers are far more willing to take the news at face value if it aligns with their beliefs, Mouthaan believes it’s more important for journalists to show their work and demonstrate how they arrive at objective conclusions.
“I plead for absolute transparency in our work,” he explains. “If more people knew how we spend days reading up on an issue, weighing facts, and interviewing experts on all sides before we even start formulating a balanced story, they might see the value in hearing from us.”
That’s why Mouthaan believes that maintaining transparency isn’t just a professional ethic — it’s essential to restoring credibility to the field of journalism itself.
Reporting on America’s Turning Points
Mouthaan has reported live from all 50 states on everything from natural disasters to public health crises, but he’s dedicated a significant portion of his career to documenting America’s watershed moments.
Many of these defining moments come during election years: “It’s my job to provide clarity and context so our Dutch viewers truly understand what’s happening during pivotal events like elections,” Mouthaan explains.
In the 2008 election, he reported on Barack Obama’s message of hope and unity, which resonated with a nation recovering from a financial crisis. In 2016, he documented Donald Trump’s unexpected rise to power, which was fueled by populist rhetoric that tapped into the frustrations of many Americans. In 2017, he had the chance to conduct a one-on-one interview with Hillary Clinton following her loss in the controversial 2016 elections.
Over the years, Mouthaan has visited the Oval Office five times to cover presidential meetings with the Dutch prime minister. “It’s fascinating to be in such a powerful place,” he says. “You really feel the weight of history when you look around the Oval Office.”
But perhaps the greatest test of his skills was his work on January 6, 2021.
On that day, he covered the infamous attack on the U.S. Capitol, as a mob of rioters stormed the building in a violent attempt to overturn the results of the presidential election and prevent the certification of Joe Biden’s victory.
Mouthaan reported live from the steps of the Capitol as protesters clashed with law enforcement officers and eventually forced their way into the building. “While being harassed by the protesters, my team and I were able to continue our live reporting on prime-time television in the Netherlands,” he recalls.
Despite the risks involved, Mouthaan successfully delivered an unflinching look at one of the most shocking events in modern American history. His report earned him the prestigious De Tegel Journalism Award, which recognized not just his skills as a journalist but also his ability to stay composed and deliver critical reporting even under extreme circumstances.
Erik Mouthaan: Unveiling America’s Story
Erik Mouthaan’s work at RTL Nieuws shows the vital role journalism can play in connecting audiences to important and impactful stories around the world. But his dedication to journalism goes beyond the news station. In 2022, he published his first book, the Dutch bestseller New York, de gedroomde stad (New York, the Dreamed-Up City). He also served as a juror for the 2024 International Emmy Awards in Current Affairs and News, where he helped evaluate some of the best reporting from around the world.
He remains committed to his role as RTL Nieuws’ U.S. correspondent, especially as he prepares to cover Donald Trump’s second term and the impact it will have on the nation’s future (and the world at large).
No matter what the future holds, Mouthaan hopes to continue playing a role in telling it: “The story of America is always changing,” he says. “People in this country are not afraid of asking, probing questions, or considering shifting their perspectives — and I love being a part of telling that story.”