The Federalist published its highly anticipated 2025 Winners and Losers list, showcasing the dramatic political realignment that has defined President Trump's return to the White House and the conservative movement's ascendancy.
Vice President J.D. Vance topped the winners list, cementing his position as a rising conservative star who has effectively championed America First policies while dismantling liberal talking points with intellectual precision. Vance's transformation from Trump critic to trusted ally exemplifies the broader Republican Party's evolution under Trump's leadership.
DOGE: Both Hero and Cautionary Tale
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) earned a unique distinction, appearing on both the winners and losers lists. While DOGE's mission to slash bureaucratic waste and drain the swamp resonates with conservative voters, implementation challenges have highlighted the entrenched nature of the administrative state's resistance to meaningful reform.
The dual listing reflects the complex reality of governing versus campaigning – even with Republican control, dismantling decades of progressive bureaucracy requires sustained effort and strategic patience.
Mainstream Media's Continued Collapse
CNN's Jake Tapper landed squarely in the losers column, representing the broader mainstream media's credibility crisis. Tapper's partisan activism masquerading as journalism has become increasingly transparent to American voters, contributing to CNN's plummeting ratings and relevance.
The Federalist's assessment reflects what conservatives have long understood: legacy media has abandoned objective reporting in favor of progressive advocacy.
The winners and losers list serves as a conservative scorecard for the year's most significant political developments. While Trump administration allies celebrate policy victories and cultural wins, liberal institutions continue their decline as Americans reject woke ideology and embrace common-sense conservatism.
The Federalist's annual assessment captures the ongoing political realignment that has reshaped American politics, with conservative principles gaining ground against progressive overreach across multiple fronts.