SAN DIEGO (AP) — Tens of thousands of fans — many in costumes — attended Comic-Con 2025, a four-day pop culture spectacle packed with celebrities and interactive attractions.
Comic-Con International, held annually at the San Diego Convention Center, brings together fans who celebrate their favorite comic books, movies, television and video games and learn about what's next for their heroes and villains.
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Melissa McBride, left, and Norman Reedus pose for a portrait to promote "The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon" during Comic-Con International on Friday, July 25, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Jack Alcott, from left, Michael C. Hall, and James Remar pose for a portrait to promote "Dexter: Resurrection" during Comic-Con International on Friday, July 25, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Anthony Mackie poses for a portrait to promote "Twisted Metal" during Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
A person dressed as the character Frendo the clown, left, and Katie Douglas pose for a portrait to promote "Clown in a Cornfield" during Comic-Con International on Friday, July 25, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Javier Lovato of Los Angeles dressed as Time Traveler Todd, from left, Mitchell Walter of Los Angeles dressed as Bullet, and Emily La Rue of Los Angeles dressed as Kat from "Bullet Time" attend Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Todd Schmidt of San Diego, Calif. dressed as Silver Surfer from "Fantastic Four" attends Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Ryan Martinez of Houston dressed as Powdered Toast Man, left, and Tarrah Martinez of Houston dressed as Log from "The Ren & Stimpy Show" attend Comic-Con International on Friday, July 25, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Jacob Anderson poses for a portrait to promote "The Talamasca: The Secret Order" during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Ashley Eckstein, left, and Michael James Scott pose for a portrait to promote "Her Universe Fashion Show" during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Alex Kurtzman poses for a portrait to promote "Star Trek: Starfleet Academy" during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Jeffrey Divincent, Andrew Mckinney, David Florez, and Ethan Mcarthur of Seattle, Wash. dressed as Shy Guys from "Super Mario Bros." attend Comic-Con International on Friday, July 25, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Bugs Mitchell of Westminster, Calif. dressed as the Joker from "Batman" attends Comic-Con International on Friday, July 25, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Robert Bowman of Joshua Tree, Calif., from left, Andy Lepe of Indio, Calif., and Kyle Luna of Chula Vista, Calif. dressed as Ghostbusters attend a panel for "The Blues Brothers: The Escape of Joliet Jake" during Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
A person dressed as Deadpool attends Comic-Con International on Friday, July 25, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
A person dressed as Wolverine from "X-Men" poses for a photograph during Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Horacio Garcia Rojas poses for a portrait to promote "Aztec Batman: Clash of Empires" during Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
David Dastmalchian poses for a portrait to promote "Dexter: Resurrection" during Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Alec Baldwin, left, and a person dressed as the character Snoopy from "Peanuts" poses for a portrait to promote the 75th anniversary of "Peanuts" during Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Melissa Ann from San Diego poses during preview night for Comic-Con International on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Ivan Martinez, left, dressed as "Nightwing," and Jade Stone, dressed as "Poison Ivy Jedi," pose for a photo before the 2025 Comic-Con International Preview Night on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Diana, from left, Kal Smith, and Melissa Ann from San Diego, Calif. pose during preview night for Comic-Con International on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Comic-Con volunteer Chris Perry, of San Diego, waves to a young attendee before the 2025 Comic-Con International Preview Night on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Chris Lane, left, and his wife Shannon, wearing costumes inspired by the Apple TV+ series "Murderbot," walk through the crowd before the 2025 Comic-Con International Preview Night on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
A cosplayer wears her mask backwards as she waits in line with other attendees before the 2025 Comic-Con International Preview Night on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Andrew Ghannadian, of San Diego, dressed in his own costume as "Eight-ball," walks through the crowd before the 2025 Comic-Con International Preview Night on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Onlookers view a Lego installation during preview night for Comic-Con International on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Allison Tabitha, of Orlando, Fla., dressed as Zelda from the "Legend of Zelda" video game, poses for photographers before the 2025 Comic-Con International Preview Night on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Queen Latifah, left, and George Lucas attend a panel for the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art during Comic-Con International on Sunday, July 27, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
John Cena attends a panel for "Peacemaker" during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Melissa McBride, left, and Norman Reedus pose for a portrait to promote "The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon" during Comic-Con International on Friday, July 25, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Jack Alcott, from left, Michael C. Hall, and James Remar pose for a portrait to promote "Dexter: Resurrection" during Comic-Con International on Friday, July 25, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Anthony Mackie poses for a portrait to promote "Twisted Metal" during Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
A person dressed as the character Frendo the clown, left, and Katie Douglas pose for a portrait to promote "Clown in a Cornfield" during Comic-Con International on Friday, July 25, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Javier Lovato of Los Angeles dressed as Time Traveler Todd, from left, Mitchell Walter of Los Angeles dressed as Bullet, and Emily La Rue of Los Angeles dressed as Kat from "Bullet Time" attend Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Todd Schmidt of San Diego, Calif. dressed as Silver Surfer from "Fantastic Four" attends Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Ryan Martinez of Houston dressed as Powdered Toast Man, left, and Tarrah Martinez of Houston dressed as Log from "The Ren & Stimpy Show" attend Comic-Con International on Friday, July 25, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Jacob Anderson poses for a portrait to promote "The Talamasca: The Secret Order" during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Ashley Eckstein, left, and Michael James Scott pose for a portrait to promote "Her Universe Fashion Show" during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Alex Kurtzman poses for a portrait to promote "Star Trek: Starfleet Academy" during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Jeffrey Divincent, Andrew Mckinney, David Florez, and Ethan Mcarthur of Seattle, Wash. dressed as Shy Guys from "Super Mario Bros." attend Comic-Con International on Friday, July 25, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Bugs Mitchell of Westminster, Calif. dressed as the Joker from "Batman" attends Comic-Con International on Friday, July 25, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Robert Bowman of Joshua Tree, Calif., from left, Andy Lepe of Indio, Calif., and Kyle Luna of Chula Vista, Calif. dressed as Ghostbusters attend a panel for "The Blues Brothers: The Escape of Joliet Jake" during Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
A person dressed as Deadpool attends Comic-Con International on Friday, July 25, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
A person dressed as Wolverine from "X-Men" poses for a photograph during Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Horacio Garcia Rojas poses for a portrait to promote "Aztec Batman: Clash of Empires" during Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
David Dastmalchian poses for a portrait to promote "Dexter: Resurrection" during Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Alec Baldwin, left, and a person dressed as the character Snoopy from "Peanuts" poses for a portrait to promote the 75th anniversary of "Peanuts" during Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Melissa Ann from San Diego poses during preview night for Comic-Con International on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Ivan Martinez, left, dressed as "Nightwing," and Jade Stone, dressed as "Poison Ivy Jedi," pose for a photo before the 2025 Comic-Con International Preview Night on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Diana, from left, Kal Smith, and Melissa Ann from San Diego, Calif. pose during preview night for Comic-Con International on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Comic-Con volunteer Chris Perry, of San Diego, waves to a young attendee before the 2025 Comic-Con International Preview Night on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Chris Lane, left, and his wife Shannon, wearing costumes inspired by the Apple TV+ series "Murderbot," walk through the crowd before the 2025 Comic-Con International Preview Night on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
A cosplayer wears her mask backwards as she waits in line with other attendees before the 2025 Comic-Con International Preview Night on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Andrew Ghannadian, of San Diego, dressed in his own costume as "Eight-ball," walks through the crowd before the 2025 Comic-Con International Preview Night on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Onlookers view a Lego installation during preview night for Comic-Con International on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Allison Tabitha, of Orlando, Fla., dressed as Zelda from the "Legend of Zelda" video game, poses for photographers before the 2025 Comic-Con International Preview Night on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
This year's convention, which ran through Sunday and drew an estimated 135,000 attendees, included the first look at “Project Hail Mary,” the new Andy Weir novel adaptation starring Ryan Gosling, George Lucas’ first visit to Comic-Con, John Cena promoting “Peacemaker” Season 2 in character and updates on a new “Alien” series and “Predator film.”
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Melissa McBride, left, and Norman Reedus pose for a portrait to promote "The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon" during Comic-Con International on Friday, July 25, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Jack Alcott, from left, Michael C. Hall, and James Remar pose for a portrait to promote "Dexter: Resurrection" during Comic-Con International on Friday, July 25, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Anthony Mackie poses for a portrait to promote "Twisted Metal" during Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
A person dressed as the character Frendo the clown, left, and Katie Douglas pose for a portrait to promote "Clown in a Cornfield" during Comic-Con International on Friday, July 25, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Javier Lovato of Los Angeles dressed as Time Traveler Todd, from left, Mitchell Walter of Los Angeles dressed as Bullet, and Emily La Rue of Los Angeles dressed as Kat from "Bullet Time" attend Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Todd Schmidt of San Diego, Calif. dressed as Silver Surfer from "Fantastic Four" attends Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Ryan Martinez of Houston dressed as Powdered Toast Man, left, and Tarrah Martinez of Houston dressed as Log from "The Ren & Stimpy Show" attend Comic-Con International on Friday, July 25, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Jacob Anderson poses for a portrait to promote "The Talamasca: The Secret Order" during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Ashley Eckstein, left, and Michael James Scott pose for a portrait to promote "Her Universe Fashion Show" during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Alex Kurtzman poses for a portrait to promote "Star Trek: Starfleet Academy" during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Jeffrey Divincent, Andrew Mckinney, David Florez, and Ethan Mcarthur of Seattle, Wash. dressed as Shy Guys from "Super Mario Bros." attend Comic-Con International on Friday, July 25, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Bugs Mitchell of Westminster, Calif. dressed as the Joker from "Batman" attends Comic-Con International on Friday, July 25, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Robert Bowman of Joshua Tree, Calif., from left, Andy Lepe of Indio, Calif., and Kyle Luna of Chula Vista, Calif. dressed as Ghostbusters attend a panel for "The Blues Brothers: The Escape of Joliet Jake" during Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
A person dressed as Deadpool attends Comic-Con International on Friday, July 25, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
A person dressed as Wolverine from "X-Men" poses for a photograph during Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Horacio Garcia Rojas poses for a portrait to promote "Aztec Batman: Clash of Empires" during Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
David Dastmalchian poses for a portrait to promote "Dexter: Resurrection" during Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Alec Baldwin, left, and a person dressed as the character Snoopy from "Peanuts" poses for a portrait to promote the 75th anniversary of "Peanuts" during Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Melissa Ann from San Diego poses during preview night for Comic-Con International on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Ivan Martinez, left, dressed as "Nightwing," and Jade Stone, dressed as "Poison Ivy Jedi," pose for a photo before the 2025 Comic-Con International Preview Night on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Diana, from left, Kal Smith, and Melissa Ann from San Diego, Calif. pose during preview night for Comic-Con International on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Comic-Con volunteer Chris Perry, of San Diego, waves to a young attendee before the 2025 Comic-Con International Preview Night on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Chris Lane, left, and his wife Shannon, wearing costumes inspired by the Apple TV+ series "Murderbot," walk through the crowd before the 2025 Comic-Con International Preview Night on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
A cosplayer wears her mask backwards as she waits in line with other attendees before the 2025 Comic-Con International Preview Night on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Andrew Ghannadian, of San Diego, dressed in his own costume as "Eight-ball," walks through the crowd before the 2025 Comic-Con International Preview Night on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Onlookers view a Lego installation during preview night for Comic-Con International on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Allison Tabitha, of Orlando, Fla., dressed as Zelda from the "Legend of Zelda" video game, poses for photographers before the 2025 Comic-Con International Preview Night on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Queen Latifah, left, and George Lucas attend a panel for the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art during Comic-Con International on Sunday, July 27, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
John Cena attends a panel for "Peacemaker" during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Melissa McBride, left, and Norman Reedus pose for a portrait to promote "The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon" during Comic-Con International on Friday, July 25, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Jack Alcott, from left, Michael C. Hall, and James Remar pose for a portrait to promote "Dexter: Resurrection" during Comic-Con International on Friday, July 25, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Anthony Mackie poses for a portrait to promote "Twisted Metal" during Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
A person dressed as the character Frendo the clown, left, and Katie Douglas pose for a portrait to promote "Clown in a Cornfield" during Comic-Con International on Friday, July 25, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Javier Lovato of Los Angeles dressed as Time Traveler Todd, from left, Mitchell Walter of Los Angeles dressed as Bullet, and Emily La Rue of Los Angeles dressed as Kat from "Bullet Time" attend Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Todd Schmidt of San Diego, Calif. dressed as Silver Surfer from "Fantastic Four" attends Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Ryan Martinez of Houston dressed as Powdered Toast Man, left, and Tarrah Martinez of Houston dressed as Log from "The Ren & Stimpy Show" attend Comic-Con International on Friday, July 25, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Jacob Anderson poses for a portrait to promote "The Talamasca: The Secret Order" during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Ashley Eckstein, left, and Michael James Scott pose for a portrait to promote "Her Universe Fashion Show" during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Alex Kurtzman poses for a portrait to promote "Star Trek: Starfleet Academy" during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Jeffrey Divincent, Andrew Mckinney, David Florez, and Ethan Mcarthur of Seattle, Wash. dressed as Shy Guys from "Super Mario Bros." attend Comic-Con International on Friday, July 25, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Bugs Mitchell of Westminster, Calif. dressed as the Joker from "Batman" attends Comic-Con International on Friday, July 25, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Robert Bowman of Joshua Tree, Calif., from left, Andy Lepe of Indio, Calif., and Kyle Luna of Chula Vista, Calif. dressed as Ghostbusters attend a panel for "The Blues Brothers: The Escape of Joliet Jake" during Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
A person dressed as Deadpool attends Comic-Con International on Friday, July 25, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
A person dressed as Wolverine from "X-Men" poses for a photograph during Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Horacio Garcia Rojas poses for a portrait to promote "Aztec Batman: Clash of Empires" during Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
David Dastmalchian poses for a portrait to promote "Dexter: Resurrection" during Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Alec Baldwin, left, and a person dressed as the character Snoopy from "Peanuts" poses for a portrait to promote the 75th anniversary of "Peanuts" during Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Melissa Ann from San Diego poses during preview night for Comic-Con International on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Ivan Martinez, left, dressed as "Nightwing," and Jade Stone, dressed as "Poison Ivy Jedi," pose for a photo before the 2025 Comic-Con International Preview Night on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Diana, from left, Kal Smith, and Melissa Ann from San Diego, Calif. pose during preview night for Comic-Con International on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Comic-Con volunteer Chris Perry, of San Diego, waves to a young attendee before the 2025 Comic-Con International Preview Night on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Chris Lane, left, and his wife Shannon, wearing costumes inspired by the Apple TV+ series "Murderbot," walk through the crowd before the 2025 Comic-Con International Preview Night on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
A cosplayer wears her mask backwards as she waits in line with other attendees before the 2025 Comic-Con International Preview Night on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Andrew Ghannadian, of San Diego, dressed in his own costume as "Eight-ball," walks through the crowd before the 2025 Comic-Con International Preview Night on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Onlookers view a Lego installation during preview night for Comic-Con International on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (Photo by Andrew Park/Invision/AP)
Allison Tabitha, of Orlando, Fla., dressed as Zelda from the "Legend of Zelda" video game, poses for photographers before the 2025 Comic-Con International Preview Night on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
NEW YORK (AP) — Reviving a campaign pledge, President Donald Trump wants a one-year, 10% cap on credit card interest rates, a move that could save Americans tens of billions of dollars but drew immediate opposition from an industry that has been in his corner.
Trump was not clear in his social media post Friday night whether a cap might take effect through executive action or legislation, though one Republican senator said he had spoken with the president and would work on a bill with his “full support.” Trump said he hoped it would be in place Jan. 20, one year after he took office.
Strong opposition is certain from Wall Street in addition to the credit card companies, which donated heavily to his 2024 campaign and have supported Trump's second-term agenda. Banks are making the argument that such a plan would most hurt poor people, at a time of economic concern, by curtailing or eliminating credit lines, driving them to high-cost alternatives like payday loans or pawnshops.
“We will no longer let the American Public be ripped off by Credit Card Companies that are charging Interest Rates of 20 to 30%,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Researchers who studied Trump’s campaign pledge after it was first announced found that Americans would save roughly $100 billion in interest a year if credit card rates were capped at 10%. The same researchers found that while the credit card industry would take a major hit, it would still be profitable, although credit card rewards and other perks might be scaled back.
About 195 million people in the United States had credit cards in 2024 and were assessed $160 billion in interest charges, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says. Americans are now carrying more credit card debt than ever, to the tune of about $1.23 trillion, according to figures from the New York Federal Reserve for the third quarter last year.
Further, Americans are paying, on average, between 19.65% and 21.5% in interest on credit cards according to the Federal Reserve and other industry tracking sources. That has come down in the past year as the central bank lowered benchmark rates, but is near the highs since federal regulators started tracking credit card rates in the mid-1990s. That’s significantly higher than a decade ago, when the average credit card interest rate was roughly 12%.
The Republican administration has proved particularly friendly until now to the credit card industry.
Capital One got little resistance from the White House when it finalized its purchase and merger with Discover Financial in early 2025, a deal that created the nation’s largest credit card company. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which is largely tasked with going after credit card companies for alleged wrongdoing, has been largely nonfunctional since Trump took office.
In a joint statement, the banking industry was opposed to Trump's proposal.
“If enacted, this cap would only drive consumers toward less regulated, more costly alternatives," the American Bankers Association and allied groups said.
Bank lobbyists have long argued that lowering interest rates on their credit card products would require the banks to lend less to high-risk borrowers. When Congress enacted a cap on the fee that stores pay large banks when customers use a debit card, banks responded by removing all rewards and perks from those cards. Debit card rewards only recently have trickled back into consumers' hands. For example, United Airlines now has a debit card that gives miles with purchases.
The U.S. already places interest rate caps on some financial products and for some demographics. The Military Lending Act makes it illegal to charge active-duty service members more than 36% for any financial product. The national regulator for credit unions has capped interest rates on credit union credit cards at 18%.
Credit card companies earn three streams of revenue from their products: fees charged to merchants, fees charged to customers and the interest charged on balances. The argument from some researchers and left-leaning policymakers is that the banks earn enough revenue from merchants to keep them profitable if interest rates were capped.
"A 10% credit card interest cap would save Americans $100 billion a year without causing massive account closures, as banks claim. That’s because the few large banks that dominate the credit card market are making absolutely massive profits on customers at all income levels," said Brian Shearer, director of competition and regulatory policy at the Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator, who wrote the research on the industry's impact of Trump's proposal last year.
There are some historic examples that interest rate caps do cut off the less creditworthy to financial products because banks are not able to price risk correctly. Arkansas has a strictly enforced interest rate cap of 17% and evidence points to the poor and less creditworthy being cut out of consumer credit markets in the state. Shearer's research showed that an interest rate cap of 10% would likely result in banks lending less to those with credit scores below 600.
The White House did not respond to questions about how the president seeks to cap the rate or whether he has spoken with credit card companies about the idea.
Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., who said he talked with Trump on Friday night, said the effort is meant to “lower costs for American families and to reign in greedy credit card companies who have been ripping off hardworking Americans for too long."
Legislation in both the House and the Senate would do what Trump is seeking.
Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Josh Hawley, R-Mo., released a plan in February that would immediately cap interest rates at 10% for five years, hoping to use Trump’s campaign promise to build momentum for their measure.
Hours before Trump's post, Sanders said that the president, rather than working to cap interest rates, had taken steps to deregulate big banks that allowed them to charge much higher credit card fees.
Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., have proposed similar legislation. Ocasio-Cortez is a frequent political target of Trump, while Luna is a close ally of the president.
Seung Min Kim reported from West Palm Beach, Fla.
President Donald Trump arrives on Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport, Friday, Jan. 9, 2025, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
FILE - Visa and Mastercard credit cards are shown in Buffalo Grove, Ill., Feb. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)