‘Journalism With Another Loss’: Fans Flood Social Media With Puns After Kentucky Derby Finish

It was a rough day for Journalism—again. Only this time, it wasn’t about collapsing ad revenue, newsroom layoffs, or plunging public trust. It was on the track when a horse named “Journalism” was narrowly beaten by long-shot “Sovereignty” at the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, leading sportswriters, right-wing influencers, and fans to have the pleasure of typing: Journalism loses to Sovereignty.

Sovereignty just beat Journalism to win the Kentucky Derby.

Welcome to America in 2025 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/g0iIlqzHLh

— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) May 3, 2025

How many more signs from God do you need to realize what his desire is for the United States of America and her people?

How about a horse named “Sovereignty” winning the Kentucky Derby over a horse named “Journalism?”pic.twitter.com/3f6WZrzahh

— Brenden Dilley (@WarlordDilley) May 4, 2025

Journalism was the pre-race favorite and had become something of a mascot for reporters covering the event. But as the muddy track at Churchill Downs played out, it was Sovereignty who took command in the final quarter-mile, outrunning Journalism and third-place finisher Baeza.

Never bet against Sovereignty.

— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) May 3, 2025

Social media lit up with headlines and posts like, “Journalism with another loss,” “Sovereignty beats Journalism,” and “The death of Journalism—now on horseback.”

Journalism with another loss. Been a rough go of it since covid.

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) May 3, 2025

Sovereignty beats Journalism. Symbolic. A nation reclaiming its voice over the narratives written about it. https://t.co/SUlbtQbUfw

— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) May 4, 2025

Layoffs, shrinking newsrooms, vanishing subscribers… what’s one more loss, even if it’s four-legged?

The symbolism wasn’t lost on anyone. A horse named Journalism leading the pack, only to be overtaken at the finish line by Sovereignty? It practically writes itself.

I was hoping it was an accident.

An owner of the Derby horse named “Journalism” explains, “I’ve always been a huge fan of journalists and journalism.”

— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) May 3, 2025

So while Journalism didn’t bring home the roses this weekend, it did bring home a fresh round of internet snark—and, at least for one day, people were talking about journalism again.

Sovereignty > Journalism.

On the track. And in 2025 America.

— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) May 3, 2025