FDD ANNOUNCES 2025 MEDIA FELLOWS PROGRAM CLASS  

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 19, 2025 — The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) announced its class of 2025 Media Fellows. The bipartisan group consists of journalists, editors, producers, congressional staffers, think-tank experts, and private sector specialists.

As participants in the 2025 Media Fellows Program, the class will join FDD’s National Security Network, comprised of more than 650 mid-career national security practitioners.  

FDD’s Media Fellows Program provides educational programming and professional development opportunities to help media professionals gain a deeper understanding of the intersection between media, strategic communications, public diplomacy, misinformation, disinformation, and national security. The program also includes a National Security Trip to Israel, taking place in June 2025.   

The Media Fellows Program is part of FDD’s Barish Center for Media Integrity. In addition to providing skill-building opportunities and access to leading national security professionals for media fellows, the Center also addresses the national security threats posed by misinformation campaigns and influence operations waged by foreign adversaries against the United States and allied democracies.  

“The Foundation for Defense of Democracies is pleased to announce our 2025 Media Fellows and welcome them to FDD’s National Security Network,” said Clifford D. May, FDD’s founder and president. “We look forward to supporting these individuals throughout their participation in the program and beyond.”    

More information about the FDD Media Fellows Program can be found at https://www.fdd.org/media-fellows-program/   

FDD 2025 Media Fellows  

• Isabel Aldunate, Matchpoint Strategies 

• Kayla Bartsch, National Review 

• Campbell Bright, Steer PR 

• Emily Cassil, U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) 

• Allison Childress, U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ) 

• Jessica Costescu, Washington Free Beacon 

• David DiMolfetta, GovExec 

• Jonas Du, The Free Press 

• Matthew Foldi, Washington Reporter 

• Daniel Foster, CounterPoint Strategies 

• Gary Freedman, NewsNation 

• Samuel Hayes, United Artists, Amazon MGM 

• Arden Hooper, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) 

• Sean Langille, Fox News 

• Madeline Leesman, Townhall.com 

• Aubrey López, AIPAC

• Patrick McCann, U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) 

• Todd Prince, Radio Free Europe 

• Briana Reilly, CQ Roll Call 

• Krystina Skurk, U.S. Rep. Mark Green (R-TN) 

• Pieter van Wingerden, Hudson Institute 

• Juan Villasmil, The Spectator 

• Sarah Zaaimi, The Atlantic Council 

To contact FDD media relations, please email [email protected].  

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About the Foundation for Defense of Democracies:  

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) is a Washington, DC-based nonpartisan policy institute focusing on national security and foreign policy. Connect with FDD on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.