Biggest moments of 2025: Trump, turmoil and a Telethon record

DONALD TRUMP SWORN IN

Donald Trump was sworn in as President of the United States for the second time on January 21 and got cracking immediately, moving at a dizzying pace to implement his agenda.

Tesla founder and X owner Elon Musk moved into the halls of power to start dismantling the machinery of government, until he had a spectacular falling out with Mr Trump that ended up with insults at ten paces on social media.

Mr Trump’s unique approach to politics and diplomacy saw distinctions between friends and foe blurred or overturned, epitomised by his Oval Office bollocking of Volodymyr Zelensky and red-carpet welcome to Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

The “Liberation Day” tariffs announced in April crashed markets and sent governments around the world scrambling to strike deals to avoid the trade imposts.

Then there were the mass raids on illegal immigrants, multimillion-dollar lawsuits against media companies, and a record 43-day government shutdown – and Mr Trump’s term is not even a quarter of the way through.

DEATH OF POPE FRANCIS

The death of Pope Francis at the age of 88 wasn’t just the loss of a leader, but of a grandfather figure who brought the Church closer to the streets.

Passing away on Easter Monday just hours after a final public appearance, his death marked the end of a transformative twelve-year papacy defined by humility and a focus on the marginalised.

The shadow of Francis’s legacy—from his climate advocacy to his efforts at modernising the Church—loomed large over the Vatican for the remainder of the year.

SOCIAL MEDIA BAN COMES INTO EFFECT

After a year of preparation, Australia’s young teenagers were finally booted off social media on December 10. Well, those who couldn’t trick the new age verification measures with makeup or flat-out lying about their birth date.

The world-leading ban on under 16s holding social media accounts came into effect, but eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman-Grant said she was playing the long game in terms of seeing how well the tech giants complied.

Initially, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok, Reddit, X, Threads, Twitch and Kick were told they had to remove accounts of anyone aged under 16 and bar teens from signing up.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the world was watching on as Australia tackled the social harms of social media.

He and Communications Minister Anika Wells spruiked the ban at an event on the sidelines of the United Nations in New York in September (a gig that later landed Ms Wells in hot water over the cost of her travel).

Malaysia and New Zealand have already followed Australia down the banning track, while other places including Denmark, Norway, France, Spain and some US states are considering doing so as well.

YUNG FILLY GETS UK GREEN LIGHT

British YouTuber and musician Yung Filly was the given green light for his UK return despite being on bail for rape charges in Perth.

Yung Filly, whose real name is Andrés Felipe Valencia Barrientos, was extradited from Queensland to Perth in late 2024 over claims he assaulted a woman after a show at Bar1 in Hillarys on September 28 that year.

News of his arrest made headlines around the globe, which came at a time of online success and brand collaborations with companies including McDonald’s .

Barrientos pleaded not guilty to all but two of the charges and has been stuck in WA as part of his strict bail conditions, until he was granted approval to travel back to the UK almost a year after his first court appearance.

He will have to return to Perth on January 7 ahead of his trial .

The accused rapist was fined a $1000 fine and a six-month driving ban in January, 2025, after he admitted to driving 58kmh over the speed limit.

ANOTHER TELETHON RECORD

It was described as The.Best.Ever Telethon.

That was in part because an astonishing $90,160,275 was raised for the charity this year, breaking yet another fundraising record.

But the event, as it does every year, brought the best of the community together all in the name of helping sick and vulnerable kids.

Legend entertainers including Ronan Keating and Shannon Noll were among the stars that entertained over the marathon 26-hour broadcast.

And across the whole weekend there were countless inspiring stories, including that of Hemi Andrews, whose powerful story featured on the front of Saturday’s The West Australian.

Hemi had six open heart surgeries at just five years old.

The total fundraising effort since Telethon’s inception in 1968 now exceeds $750 million but the impact, through life-changing innovation, research, treatments and opportunities for sick children, cannot be measured.

HARLEY REID RE-SIGNS

West Coast might have tasted victory only once on the field in 2025, but they landed arguably their biggest win off it when Harley Reid extended his contract.

Speculation had been rife that Reid would head home to Victoria sooner-rather-than-later almost before the Eagles picked up on the Tongala teenager with pick No.1 in the 2023 draft.

And it led to several clubs putting out big money offers for Reid, who would fall out of contract next year when his mandatory three-year deal expired.

However, Reid showed faith in the direction of the Eagles when it was announced in late August that he had penned a two-year extension which would tie him to the club until the end of 2028.

“I can’t wait for the 2026 season and beyond to see what we can achieve together,” Reid said which was music to West Coast fans’ ears.

JOHN CENA FAREWELL TOUR

There are a select few moments in wrestling that live forever. Hulk Hogan bodyslamming Andre The Giant at WrestleMania III is one, Hogan and The Rock standing toe to toe at WrestleMania X8 is another. They were huge moments where everyone in the stadium recognised they were not only watching history, they were playing a part in it too due to their reactions.

So when 17-time WWE champion John Cena announced Perth would be a stop on his 2025 Farewell tour, fans were pumped. Then, when more than half of the fans inside RAC Arena bought the gold commemorative t-shirt, you knew it was going to be a special night.

Cena stepped into the ring against AJ Styles just days after he also announced an impending retirement and the pair started paying tribute to the other stars of the industry by incorporating their trademark moves into the match. That had the crowd buzzing.

But the big moment arrived when Cena used the move made famous by the late Bray Wyatt. Instantly thousands of people grabbed their phones and turned on their torches as a tribute to Wyatt because that’s how rans reacted whenever he entered the ring in a darkened arena.

Time stood still in that moment as an emotional Cena looked to the heavens. The vision and photos from RAC Arena continue to be celebrated around the world and Perth will forever be remembered for an iconic moment in wrestling.

KENDRICK LAMAR AT THE SUPERBOWL

In February, Kendrick Lamar became the first solo rapper to headline the halftime show at the US Super Bowl. It was a landmark performance that thrilled fans but divided critics.

Lamar performed some of his biggest hits in a performance rich with symbolism. The production touched on themes of racial justice, political protest and how much he just really hates fellow rapper and arch nemesis, Drake.

Guest appearances included actor Samuel L Jackson who was dressed as Uncle Sam, representing a divided America. Singer SZA came on stage to sing the tracks All the Stars and Luther. And most surprising – tennis star and rumoured ex flame of Drake, Serena Williams, who performed a crip walk while Lamar performed the diss track Not Like Us.

Lamars direct eye contact with the camera and wide grin as he rapped the lyrics: “Say, Drake, I hear you like ‘em young, you better never go to cell block 1” became fodder for a million online memes.

Drake was touring Australia at the time, and the day after Lamar’s performance appeared on stage in Melbourne wearing a hoodie seemingly covered in smoking bullet holes – the message? Shot but still not down.

KIDMAN AND URBAN DIVORCE

High-profile celebrity marriages rarely go the distance, yet it was still a shock to most when long-time Aussie pair Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban announced they were headed for divorce in early October.

The former couple tied the knot in Manly in 2006 after meeting a year earlier, and share teenage daughters Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret.

According to court documents, the Oscar-winning actress cited “irreconcilable differences” as the trigger for their divorce.

However, Urban is believed to have initiated their former pair’s separation, with sources claiming a “lack of intimacy” and extended time apart among the challenges in their ill-fated marriage.

Rumours have swirled that Urban had struck up a relationship with one of several musicians on tour as the country star continues to take his show on the road in the US, though he is yet to confirm any new romance.