TIME's 100 Most Influential List Spotlights Trump Allies and Rivals

President Trump, his administration, and political opponents all make the prestigious annual ranking.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 10:20am

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A vibrant, abstract painting featuring overlapping, geometric shapes and brushstrokes in a variety of colors, representing the complex and shifting power dynamics among political leaders and influencers.TIME's '100 Most Influential People' list spotlights the key political figures shaping the country's future, from Trump allies to his staunchest rivals.Minneapolis Today

TIME Magazine's prestigious '100 Most Influential People' list for 2026 features a mix of President Trump's allies and rivals, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and Pope Leo XIV. The list celebrates prominent figures across politics, business, and the arts who are shaping the future.

Why it matters

The TIME 100 list provides insight into the key power players and ideological divides within American politics, as Trump's allies and adversaries are recognized for their influence. It highlights the potential future leaders of the Republican and Democratic parties as the 2028 presidential race approaches.

The details

The list includes several figures from Trump's administration, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine. Rubio's profile notes his transition from Trump critic to key foreign policy architect. Trump allies like Israeli PM Netanyahu and Japanese PM Takaichi also made the list. On the opposing side, Governor Newsom, PM Carney, and Pope Leo XIV were recognized for their criticism of the administration, particularly over the conflict with Iran.

  • TIME Magazine unveiled its '100 Most Influential People' list on April 16, 2026.

The players

Marco Rubio

The current U.S. Secretary of State and former Trump critic who has become a key foreign policy architect for the administration.

Susie Wiles

The White House Chief of Staff.

Gen. Dan Caine

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Gavin Newsom

The Democratic Governor of California and a frequent critic of the Trump administration.

Pope Leo XIV

The leader of the Catholic Church who has spoken out against the conflict with Iran led by the Trump administration.

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What they’re saying

“Rubio's agile transition from a Trump critic to a key architect of the administration's foreign policy has mended his ties with the MAGA faction and positions him as a potential heir to the Trumpist movement in 2028.”

— Philip Elliott, TIME correspondent

“The strikes on Iran were a failure of the international order.”

— Mark Carney, Canadian Prime Minister

“I have no fear of the Trump administration.”

— Pope Leo XIV

The takeaway

The TIME 100 list highlights the deep political divisions in the U.S., with President Trump's allies and rivals both earning recognition for their influential roles. As the 2028 presidential race approaches, the list provides insight into potential future party leaders on both sides of the aisle.