The Federalist released its highly anticipated 2025 Winners and Losers list, highlighting the dramatic political shifts that defined President Trump's first year back in office and the continued collapse of the mainstream media establishment.
Vice President J.D. Vance emerged as one of the year's biggest winners, successfully transitioning from Trump's running mate to a powerful voice in the administration's America First agenda. The former Ohio Senator proved critics wrong by effectively championing conservative policies while maintaining his populist appeal among working-class Americans.
DOGE Earns Mixed Reviews
The newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) found itself in the unique position of appearing on both the winners and losers lists. While praised for identifying billions in wasteful federal spending and streamlining bureaucratic processes, DOGE also faced criticism for some implementation challenges and resistance from entrenched government interests.
The dual listing reflects the complex reality of draining the swamp – initial victories coupled with the enormous task of reforming a bloated federal bureaucracy that has resisted change for decades.
Liberal Media Continues Decline
CNN's Jake Tapper landed squarely on the losers list as his network continued hemorrhaging viewers throughout 2025. Tapper's credibility took repeated hits as his anti-Trump narratives consistently failed to resonate with Americans who witnessed the administration's policy successes firsthand.
The Federalist's assessment reflects broader trends showing traditional media outlets losing influence as alternative conservative voices gain prominence. Americans increasingly turned to independent sources for news, rejecting the partisan spin that characterized much of mainstream coverage.
Other notable winners included entrepreneurs who benefited from Trump's deregulation efforts and conservative governors who successfully implemented America First policies at the state level. The losers list featured various establishment Republicans who failed to embrace the populist movement and continued to cling to outdated political strategies.
The comprehensive list serves as a scorecard for conservative priorities, measuring success by actual policy achievements rather than Washington insider approval ratings.