On Sunday, Luxembourgish journalist and RTL-Correspondent Philip Crowther, internationally renowned for his linguistic prowess, discussed his particularly demanding schedule in light of the upcoming US election.
In Philip's home away from home in the United States, voters are preparing to head to the polls next Tuesday. There, they will be faced with a historic decision: whether to elect the country's first female President or to bring back a convicted, former President for a second term.
Award-winning journalist and RTL Correspondent Philip Crowther, who went viral in 2021 for his multilingual reporting during the one-year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, has shared his insights on how the highly anticipated US election might unfold.
Crowther, who has Luxembourgish origins, believes that Kamala Harris has a strong chance to make history but that the media is preparing for several possible outcomes on election night.
"We are bracing ourselves for the potential scenario that it won't be a done deal on election night"
Since 2018, Philip has been working with AP.
According to Crowther, there are three main scenarios:
First: Donald Trump wins by a clear majority, and Kamala Harris accepts the election results peacefully.
Second: Kamala Harris wins decisively, but Trump disputes the results and calls for a recount.
Third: The results are so close that some states may need to conduct recounts, dragging out the final outcome for days or even weeks.
In any case, Crowther and his fellow journalists are gearing up for a potentially prolonged wait for the final election results.
"I see myself first and foremost as a Luxembourger"
The 43-year-old journalist Philip Crowther has made a name for himself as a multilingual correspondent, capable of fluently reporting the news in six different languages: English, Luxembourgish, German, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. His ability to effortlessly switch between languages has garnered international attention, and he’s especially well-known for his viral multilingual reporting.
Raised in Mamer
Philip grew up in Mamer. His mother is German and his father is British which allowed him to grow up bilingual. He learned Luxembourgish from his peers and mastered French at school.
During his time at Lycée Michel Lucius and later at the Athénée, he expanded his language skills by learning Spanish. He then later added Portuguese to his linguistic arsenal.
An early love for all things media
The RTL-Correspondent holds Luxembourgish, German, British, and American citizenships, but in his own words, he feels “first and foremost Luxembourgish.”
From the Near East, Ukraine to hurricanes
As a young man, Philip Crowther took his first steps in journalism with RTL at ARA Radio. He went on to study journalism in London and began his professional career at France 24, who happened to be looking for young graduates at the time. After passing his French language test, his international career officially began.
At Radio, ARA Philip spoke his first words into a microphone
Since 2018, Philip has been working with the Associated Press (AP) in New York, the world’s largest news agency, which has sent him across the globe to cover major events. Whether it’s politics, elections, or natural disasters, Crowther reports on a whole range of topics.
Philip also works for various European outlets, including French, Belgian, and German media, and has appeared on Euronews, where he reports in five different languages, one after the other.
He continues to serve his home audiences in Luxembourg through RTL and Radio 100,7. On top of that, he is regularly booked by international media outlets in China, Australia, and New Zealand.
"I really love my job doing live television, it fuels my adrenaline," the polyglot expressed with glee.
Active all across the world
Philip’s work as a journalist has taken him to war zones from the Near East to Ukraine and even scenes of natural disaster devastation. While he does not consider himself a war correspondent, he has covered dangerous situations, such as the 2011 Libyan Civil War. The opportunity to share meaningful stories with the world is what he says makes his job all the more fulfilling.
Always on the move - Philip's work environment is ever-changing.
A family man
Despite the demands of his job, Philip is a devoted family man. He and his wife have two small children, and he feels lucky to have a supportive family that understands the challenges of his work.
However, Philip has made it clear that “If one day my kids turn around and say 'dad you aren't home enough,' I would, without a question, make whatever adjustments possible to be present for my family."
Philip comes back to Luxembourg three to four times a year to catch up with family and friends.
Avid fan of the Red Lions
Whenever he gets a chance, he keeps up with every match the Luxembourgish national football team plays as he is huge fan of the Roude Léiwen (Red Lions).
Marathon Enthusiast
To blow off steam from the stresses of his job, Philip enjoys running. "Tie and suit off, running shoes on, I can do that wherever I happen to find myself," the passionate runner shared. Philip even took part in the ING marathon in Luxembourg this year.
Upcoming election coverage
On election night, Philip will be reporting live from the Trump Camp in West Palm Beach, Florida. He will cover the event for several news outlets, including RTL Luxembourg.
When asked for his prediction about the outcome of the election, Philip remains unsure: "It's extremely uncertain," he concluded.
Catch a glimpse of Philip's impressive multilingual reporting below:
