Jonathan O'Connell

Washington, D.C.

Reporter

Education: University of Wisconsin-Madison

Jonathan O'Connell is a reporter focused on investigations. He has covered economic development, commercial real estate and President Donald Trump's business. He joined The Post in 2010.
Latest from Jonathan O'Connell

Harris launches unscripted interview blitz after cautious roll-out

In a neck-and-neck race, Harris is leaning more into unscripted question-and-answer sessions.

October 7, 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris answers questions last month during a conversation with members of the National Association of Black Journalists.

Meet Barbara Jones, the ex-judge now policing Trump’s business moves

No other court-appointed monitor has been tasked with keeping tabs on the financial transactions of a former and perhaps soon-to-be-sitting president.

September 26, 2024

Montana GOP Senate candidate touts his business. It’s losing millions.

As Montana Republican Tim Sheehy campaigns on the success of his aerial firefighting business, records show it has suffered millions in losses.

August 10, 2024
Tim Sheehy, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Montana, resigned from the board of the firefighting business he co-founded, Bridger Aerospace, saying he couldn’t devote enough time to running the company. Several directors have resigned from the company amid a severe cash crunch and questions about internal accounting.

How Tim Walz’s personal finances compare to JD Vance, other politicians

Tim Walz doesn’t own a business, real estate or personal stocks. His financial portfolio makes him the least wealthy candidate on a major party ticket this year.

August 8, 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris and running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz during a campaign event at Temple University in Philadelphia on Tuesday.

Washington Post publisher retains ties to past business ventures

William Lewis holds a stake in a start-up that has reached a deal with The Post to collaborate. The Post said the arrangement conforms with its conflict-of-interest policy.

June 22, 2024
William Lewis, CEO and publisher of The Washington Post, in November.

Company defends Trump’s $175 million bond in new filing

Trump’s $175 million bond is secured by his cash, according to the company backing an arrangment that allows Trump to appeal a massive civil fraud judgment.

April 16, 2024
Former president Donald Trump in Manhattan criminal court on Monday.

How Trump narrowly escaped a cash crunch

Today on “Post Reports,” Jonathan O’Connell breaks down Donald Trump’s complicated finances — and what we know about the California billionaire who covered Trump’s bond in New York.

April 8, 2024

How a California billionaire known for auto loans provided Trump’s bond

Don Hankey, a Trump supporter who made billions on high-interest auto loans, financed the former president’s $175 million bond to appeal his New York civil judgment.

April 2, 2024
Don Hankey, chairman of Westlake Financial Services, in Los Angeles in 2018.

How Bowser played the long game to keep Capitals, Wizards in D.C.

For months, D.C.’s mayor quietly worked to bring the teams’ owner back to the negotiating table, sweetening D.C.’s offer just as the arena plan was crumbling in Virginia.

March 30, 2024
D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) and Ted Leonsis, the owner of the Wizards and Capitals, at a news conference Wednesday following their announcement that the teams will stay at Capital One Arena in the District.

Caps, Wizards will stay in D.C. under deal announced by Bowser, Leonsis

Under the terms of the deal, D.C. will spend $515 million over three years to help Leonsis modernize the arena and he will sign a new lease keeping the teams in D.C. for 25 more years.

March 27, 2024