By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-06-07 00:12:08 | Updated at 2026-06-07 19:27:59
19 hours ago
Is the most powerful woman in America a politician, a Supreme Court justice, a TV host, a pop star or an enigmatic figure?
As the DailyMail+ America 250 Power List reveals, there are many different types of influence.
Our list, compiled to mark the nation's upcoming 250th birthday on July 4, features those operating in the heart of the White House and exercising executive authority.
It also includes those with the megaphone of a media empire and the platform provided by a string of number one music albums.
There are several former first ladies, leading lawmakers, entertainment impresarios and titans of Wall Street. And the list includes no fewer than four women with the surname Trump.
Recently, President Donald Trump topped out the men's power list. In a phone call with the Daily Mail, he told us it was a 'great honor' and 'very nice.'
Our power lists are based on exclusive polling conducted by JL Partners. The poll asked people – a sample of roughly 35 percent Democrats, 35 percent Republicans and 30 percent independents – who they think is the most powerful and influential.
Once a week, we focus on a separate group in public life. Others include America's most powerful political commentators, morning show stars, influencers, Nashville country music figures, the best-dressed Americans, and the biggest names in soccer ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Intriguingly, the women's list shows that elected office is far from a prerequisite for power – and losing an election is not a bar either.
None of the top three are, or have ever been, elected into office.
And only one senior member of the Trump administration made the top ten.
The list also shows how those who have left the public eye can continue to hold wide influence, with two former first ladies in the top six.
Still, the most powerful woman according to those polled is Taylor Swift.
The pop star, who is set to marry football player Travis Kelce this summer, continues to wield influence though her massive following on social media in the wake of her record-breaking $2 billion Eras tour.
Taylor Swift walks on stage at the 2025 Grammy Awards. The superstar topped our list of most powerful women in America
In 2024, many of her fans looked to Swift to help them decide how to vote in the presidential election.
She endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris on Instagram where she has 280 million followers.
'I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos,' Swift wrote of Harris at the time.
She also encouraged young people to register to vote – and to vote early.
It led to high-profile backlash from Donald Trump, who responded with a post on Truth Social: 'I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!'
He then posted about it again after winning the election: 'Has anyone noticed that, since I said "I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT," she's no longer "HOT?"'
Ultimately, Harris lost the election, despite having Swift in her corner.
In second place on our Power List is a woman who left the White House nearly a decade ago: Michelle Obama.
She had by far the highest ranking among Democratic voters.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! She ranked second on the women's power list
Amy Coney Barrett poses for official photos with the Supreme Court. She was the only Supreme Court justice to feature on the list
Oprah Winfrey came in third in the ranking.
The talk show host-turned-billionaire multi-hyphenate has grown both her fame and her wealth exponentially over the years. With coveted product endorsements via her Favorite Things list and a production company, Oprah wields enormous power in Hollywood and beyond.
Fourth place went to Harris. Despite losing the 2024 presidential election, Harris ran a campaign that gained traction quickly. She served as the nation's VP for four years after representing California in the US Senate. Harris was also the first woman District Attorney in San Francisco.
The top conservative woman on the list, in fifth place, was Supreme Court justice Amy Coney Barrett.
Barrett, who was nominated to the court by Trump in his first term, has recently found herself a target of his ire.
In March, she and another Trump nominee, Neil Gorsuch, voted with other justices to rule that his signature tariff policy was illegal.
'They sicken me,' Trump said. 'They sicken me because they're bad for our country.'
Melania Trump on Capitol Hill in April. She wields significant power and influence as First Lady, though she didn't crack the list's top ten
Susie Wiles, Donald Trump's chief of staff, in the Oval Office in 2025. She is the most powerful woman in the White House, according to the Power List
Turning Point CEO Erika Kirk takes the stage at a Turning Point USA event in April. She ranked number 13, just behind Melania Trump
The first senior member of the Trump administration to feature on the list is his chief of staff Susie Wiles in eighth place.
Wiles, dubbed the 'Ice Maiden,' is seen as someone who has brought order behind the scenes at the White House following Trump's chaotic first term.
While she shuns the spotlight, she is widely regarded as one of the driving forces behind the administration.
Despite trying to keep a low profile, Wiles was higher on the list than Democratic social media star and US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Ocasio-Cortez scored the ninth place slot on the Power List.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt holds up an illustration of the Triumphal Arch that President Trump is submitting plans to build during a press briefing at the White House in April. Leavitt was ranked number 14 in the poll
Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speaks on Capitol Hill in March. She is in the top ten most powerful women
In 12th place, Melania Trump is the highest ranking member of the Trump family. The list also features Ivanka, Lara and Kai Trump.
Turning Point USA chief executive Erika Kirk ranked number 13, and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt came in at number 14, edging out former First Lady Jill Biden in 15th place.
Billionaire businesswoman Abigail Johnson, CEO of Fidelity Investments, features in 20th place – just one spot ahead of Jane Fraser, the British-American banking executive who heads Citigroup.
