The year 2025 could be summed up in one word: chaos.
Sure, we started with a so-called vibe shift, a demoralized left and a triumphant right winning the White House and positive cultural oxygen.
But since then, the mood seemed to shift daily in this ever-frenetic digital landscape, where AI is taking over and conspiracies are running rampant.
Charlie Kirk was assassinated on a college campus while advocating for free speech and open dialogue. Instagram/mrserikakirkIn the last 365 days, there’ve been triumphs like a Trump-negotiated cease-fire in Gaza — but many scars. Los Angeles was ravaged by wildfires and conservative voice Charlie Kirk was assassinated while advocating for free speech.
More From Kirsten Fleming
His death — or conspiracies about it — sparked infighting between voices on the right. Over on the left, pols adopted cursing in a desperate and misguided attempt to reclaim some credibility with voters.
All the political strife made everyone want to escape to movies, right? Nah. Hollywood too is in crisis as tumbleweeds blow through theaters. No one went to see Rachel Zegler’s “Snow White” or Julia Roberts in “After the Hunt.” Springsteen’s biopic “Deliver Me from Nowhere” delivered nuttin’ at the box office.
Blue Origin crew included Katy Perry (second from left) who kissed the ground when she landed, and Gayle King (second from right), who lectured the public on calling it a “ride.” Blue OriginStreaming, at least, provided some entertainment. “The Righteous Gemstones” star Walton Goggins shined in “The White Lotus” while beloved gazillionaire everyman Adam Sandler brought a cameo-filled nostalgia fest to Netflix in “Happy Gilmore 2.”
Meanwhile, “Sex and the City” led a clinic on how to ruin a beloved franchise in three seasons: Replace Jimmy Choo with Poo. Yes, the cringey and woke spinoff “And Just Like That” ended with an overflowing toilet and literal feces for a finale.
Speaking of crapola, late-night continued to sink into the abyss, with Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert turning a once-sacred part of American culture into humorless MSNBC-after-dark. Johnny Carson warned them.
As for the absurd, Sydney Sweeney was smeared as a “Nazi” for … doing a denim ad?
Bill Belichick looked like an old fool handing over his legacy to his 24-year-old girlfriend. But at least they landed this Us Weekly cover.
Legendary NFL coach Bill Belichick, 73, continued to look like an old fool as it was revealed he handed over his brand and legacy to his 24-year-old cheerleader girlfriend. Furthermore, his inaugural season as head coach at UNC was a losing, distraction-filled disaster.
On the bright side, he did finally land the cover of Us Weekly.
With her Instagram video frolicking on the beach, writing 2025 in the sand, Meghan Markle was marking her territory. This would be her year. Or not. Her Netflix show “With Love, Meghan” bombed, as did another short-lived podcast. At least she has mail-order flower sprinkles.
This year the Kansas City Chiefs’ dynasty seems to have officially died, but Travis Kelce did put a ring on Taylor Swift’s finger. Quarterback Phillip Rivers came out of retirement at 44 to play for the Colts and made every 40-something American believe. Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza brought wholesome back.
Indiana quarterback and underdog Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman and gave a wholesome and humble speech. APIn 2025, celebrities continued to be insufferable, with their egos literally rocketing to space. Katy Perry, Gayle King and Lauren Sanchez took a Blue Origin flight to proclaim themselves astronauts. A self-important King chastised the public for calling it a “ride” instead of a “journey.” It was a nausea-inducing odyssey — for those of us on the ground.
After a sensational trial, Sean “Diddy” Combs beat the most serious charges against him. But he is still in prison, sentenced to four years for transportation to engage in prostitution, as an explosive Netflix documentary further sinks his reputation.
The body positivity movement died at the end of an Ozempic needle, as one-time celebrants like Amy Schumer and Meghan Trainor ditched the cause for thinner thighs with ease.
Another shrinking person, Andrew Cuomo ran a lackluster mayoral campaign and thus the window for his political comeback was firmly slammed shut.
Instead, socialism triumphed in New York City as Democratic Socialists of America member Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor. Yikes.
In a big year for Catholicism, Chicago native Cardinal Robert Prevost became the first American pontiff. He took the name Pope Leo XIV. AFP via Getty ImagesAmid the digital overload, it’s been a great year for faith. Catholicism has seen a surge in young converts and soaring Mass attendance, even in New York City. And in a historic moment, the first American pontiff was chosen. We now call Robert Prevost, a Chicago native, White Sox fan and Villanova grad, Pope Leo XIV.
Meanwhile, the man who literally invented “winning” rose again in 2025. This time, Charlie Sheen did it without Tiger Blood or crack cocaine. His Netflix doc “aka Charlie Sheen” was a dizzying look into his fame and addiction, a portrait of his father’s love and a requiem for a Hollywood of a faster, but simpler, time.
A now clean and sober Charlie Sheen is actually “winning” now. His documentary “aka Charlie Sheen” was filled with wild tales and accountability. Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/ShutterstockBill Maher did something out of that simpler time: He ate dinner with someone he disagrees with politically. That man was Donald Trump, and it drove the “tolerant” left wild.
Let’s take Maher’s energy and Kirk’s words going into 2026. Speak to all kinds of people. And maybe next year will be a better one.






