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The first year of Donald Trump’s second presidency has been a whirlwind.
At home and abroad, Trump has upended the status quo with much of the fallout still to be seen. Sweeping tariffs sparked a global trade war with allies and foes alike; Elon Musk’s short-lived government tenure gutted federal agencies; and aggressive ICE raids have led to troops in the streets. And that’s just scraping the surface.
It’s been a head-spinning year, filled with enough unprecedented moments for a lifetime. If you’ve had a hard time processing the major events of 2025, POLITICO Magazine has you covered.
These 25 stories — among the most read of the year as well as those picked by editors as their favorites — will help you understand the past year and prepare you for what’s to come in what will surely be a wild 2026.
English (US)