Some of Our Most-Read Stories of 2025
TL;DR
The Atlantic's most-read 2025 stories include investigative reports on Trump administration military plans, cultural shifts like teens avoiding relationships, and scientific mysteries like an ALS outbreak in the Alps.
Key Takeaways
- •Investigative journalism on Trump administration military communications and governance drew significant reader attention.
- •Cultural analysis pieces examining social trends like isolation, changing relationship norms, and religious movements resonated widely.
- •Human interest stories combining personal narratives with scientific or historical insights proved particularly compelling to readers.
- •The collection reflects reader interest in both current political developments and broader societal transformations.
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The stories that resonated most with our readers this year include reporting that led the political conversation, analysis that unraveled deep mysteries, and meditations on our evolving culture. Spend time with some of our most popular stories of the year.Your 2025 Reading List
The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans
By Jeffrey Goldberg
U.S. national-security leaders included me in a group chat about upcoming military strikes in Yemen. I didn’t think it could be real. Then the bombs started falling.
Here Are the Attack Plans That Trump’s Advisers Shared on SignalBy Jeffrey Goldberg and Shane Harris
The administration has downplayed the importance of the text messages inadvertently sent to The Atlantic’s editor in chief.
The Missing KayakerBy Jamie Thompson
What happened to Ryan Borgwardt?
An “Impossible” Disease Outbreak in the AlpsBy Shayla Love
In one tiny town, more than a dozen people were diagnosed with the rare neurodegenerative disease ALS. Why?
“I Run the Country and the World”By Ashley Parker and Michael Scherer
Donald Trump believes he’s invincible. But the cracks are beginning to show.
Teens Are Forgoing a Classic Rite of PassageBy Faith Hill
Fewer young people are getting into relationships.
How Hitler Dismantled a Democracy in 53 DaysBy Timothy W. Ryback
He used the constitution to shatter the constitution.
His Daughter Was America’s First Measles Death in a DecadeBy Tom Bartlett
A visit with a family in mourning
Growing Up MurdochBy McKay Coppins
James Murdoch on mind games, sibling rivalry, and the war for the family media empire
The Army of God Comes Out of the ShadowsBy Stephanie McCrummen
Tens of millions of American Christians are embracing a charismatic movement known as the New Apostolic Reformation, which seeks to destroy the secular state.
The Nobel Prize Winner Who Thinks We Have the Universe All WrongBy Ross Andersen
Cosmologists are fighting over everything.
The Anti-Social CenturyBy Derek Thompson
Americans are now spending more time alone than ever. It’s changing our personalities, our politics, and even our relationship to reality.
The Mother Who Never Stopped Believing Her Son Was Still ThereBy Sarah Zhang
For decades, Eve Baer remained convinced that her son, unresponsive after a severe brain injury, was still conscious. Science eventually proved her right.
Culture BreakExplore. A certain notion of politeness requires pretending that the ideal interaction would go on forever. In 2021, Joe Pinsker wrote about how to end a conversation without making up an excuse.
Watch. In 2024, Shirley Li recommended nine underrated movies that are worth your time.
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Rafaela Jinich contributed to this newsletter.
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