President Donald Trump and five members of his administration have earned prestigious spots on TIME magazine’s “100 Most Influential People of 2025” list, cementing their status as key shapers of global policy and politics.
Quick Takes
- President Trump and five administration officials were named to TIME’s influential list, reflecting their significant impact on global policy.
- The 2025 TIME100 list features individuals from 32 countries with ages ranging from 22 to 84.
- TIME’s editor notes the list includes a record 16 corporate CEOs, indicating business leaders are “filling a leadership void.”
- The annual TIME100 Summit and Gala in New York City will be hosted by Snoop Dogg with performances by Ed Sheeran.
- TIME’s selection process involves extensive research and debate to identify those transforming the world.
Trump Administration’s Strong Presence on Global Stage
The inclusion of six members from the Trump administration on TIME’s prestigious list underscores the administration’s growing influence on domestic and international policy. This recognition comes as President Trump’s economic policies, particularly his tariff plans, continue to significantly reshape the global economic landscape. The administration’s representation on the list outpaces many other political entities, demonstrating its outsized impact on world affairs and policy direction in 2025.
The annual TIME100 list has become a barometer for measuring global influence across politics, business, entertainment, and activism. TIME editor Sam Jacobs highlighted the significance of the Trump administration’s strong showing, noting that the list reflects “the forces shaping our lives” in the current political climate. The administration’s policies on international trade, immigration, and foreign relations have created ripple effects felt across continents and industries.
🔥President Trump and five members of his administration — Vice President Vance, senior adviser Elon Musk, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought — have been named to… pic.twitter.com/h33J1iKJ0K
— Melissa Hallman (@dotconnectinga) April 16, 2025
Business Leaders Fill “Leadership Void”
Beyond politics, the 2025 TIME100 list reveals interesting shifts in global influence. The publication noted a record 16 corporate CEOs made this year’s list, including repeat entries like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. TIME editor Sam Jacobs characterized this as “a sign of the emergence of a class of business leaders who are filling a leadership void.” This suggests a growing role for corporate leaders in shaping public policy and addressing social issues where traditional governance structures may be perceived as falling short.
“TIME’s founders knew that focusing on the individuals who are transforming the world is the best way to help readers understand it. That belief animates much of what we do at TIME…What does the 2025 TIME100 tell us about the forces shaping our lives? It includes six members of the Trump Administration… 16 corporate CEOs, a record, and a sign of the emergence of a class of business leaders who are filling a leadership void…nine leaders who are fighting for justice, equality, and democracy, at a moment when the rights of so many are at stake. Members of the list come from 32 countries…Whatever change comes, we think the 2025 TIME100 will lead it,” said Sam Jacobs, TIME editor.
Media representatives also featured prominently, with ABC’s “World News Tonight” anchor David Muir recognized for his frontline reporting from global hotspots including Ukraine, Iran, and Afghanistan. Muir has secured exclusive interviews with world leaders including President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while his climate reporting in Madagascar and South Sudan helped raise $9 million for the World Food Programme.
Global Representation and Diversity
The 2025 TIME100 demonstrates remarkable geographic diversity, featuring influential figures from 32 different countries. This underscores the increasingly interconnected nature of global influence, where ideas and leadership transcend national boundaries. The age range of honorees is equally broad, spanning from 22-year-old Olympic swimmer LĂ©on Marchand to 84-year-old Muhammad Yunus, reflecting influence across generations and disciplines.
“The stories this project tells change with the headlines, so every May, our research starts anew. The one constant we see each year is that a single person’s hard work, idea, or decision can change the world,” stated Cate Matthews, a TIME researcher who highlighted the rigorous selection process behind the annual list.
The celebration of these influential figures will culminate in the TIME100 Summit and Gala events scheduled for April 2025 in New York City. The gala will be hosted by Snoop Dogg, himself a TIME100 honoree, with musical performances by Ed Sheeran and Myles Smith. TIME Studios and ABC will produce a television special of the event, which will be broadcast on the network and available for streaming on Hulu.
A Reflection of Global Power Dynamics
TIME’s Jessica Sibley emphasized the forward-looking nature of the list, describing it as recognizing “the leaders shaping the world today and defining its future.” This perspective highlights how the publication views its annual selection not just as a recognition of past achievements but as a prediction of future influence. The strong representation of the Trump administration signals its anticipated continuing impact on domestic and international affairs.
“The 2025 TIME100 list of the world’s most influential people recognizes the leaders shaping the world today and defining its future. We look forward to bringing together the newest members of this extraordinary community at the annual TIME100 Summit and TIME100 Gala with our incredible partners,” said Jessica Sibley, TIME Chief Executive Officer.
In addition to political figures, the list continues to recognize cultural icons who shape social conversations. TIME journalist Belinda Luscombe described Snoop Dogg as “a battering ram” breaking through cultural divisions at “a time when people increasingly huddle within cultural fortresses of their algorithms.” This observation highlights the publication’s consideration of influence beyond traditional power structures to include those shaping public discourse and cultural evolution.
