EXCLUSIVE: Inside the Washington Reporter's Christmas party with Americans for Tax Reform
The Washington Reporter closed out 2025 teaming up once again with Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) at ATR’s first-ever party in its building’s new first-floor event space.
Over 200 people flocked to the joint Christmas party on one of the busiest holiday evenings of the year to close out banner years for both organizations.
Brian Colas, the Reporter’s CEO, told the Reporter that “the Washington Reporter was honored to partner with Americans for Tax Reform to celebrate a great 2025. ATR helped deliver the most consequential tax reform in a generation, and we were grateful to cover the legislation every step of the way,” Colas added. “We appreciate all our readers who joined us for the party and look forward to a great 2026.”
During the event itself, Norquist addressed the gathering, saying that he is particularly “appreciative of the tax cuts being made permanent.” Chris Butler, the executive director of ATR, also thanked the hundreds of attendees for coming to ATR’s inaugural event in its sprawling new office.
Matthew Foldi, the Reporter’s editor-in-chief, thanked ATR for being an “early believer” in the news outlet he co-founded alongside Colas and Garrett Ventry, harkening back to the 2024 Election Night party that the Reporter successfully cohosted alongside ATR when the outlet was a few months old. “Special thanks to Ben [Rajadurai],” Foldi added, thanking the indispensable ATR staffer who helped put the event together.
“I want to thank all of you guys for reading the Washington Reporter,” Foldi added to applause. “We were very proud to hear that this event sold out 250 tickets in just two days during this busy Christmas party season. That’s not necessarily an easy thing to do…it’s my honor to get to cover just part of what you all do.”
White House staffers joined Capitol Hill veterans and journalists for the festivities. Among those in attendance were Victoria Garrastacho, Hannah Eddins, Grace Newton, Cody Sanders, Greg Butcher, Karly Rajadurai, Mark Fraenkel, Ryan Young, Chris Thoms, Erika Bone, Brett O’Donnell, Miranda Dabney, Hannah Rawles, Shane Waller, Alex Salvi, Logan Luse, Charlie Roth, Matt McDonald, Phelim McAleer, Isabelle Morales, Jack Baum, Dennis Hull, Marisela Ramirez, Danny Gustafson, Will O’Grady, John Gizzi, Brianna D’Apuzzo, Vikram Prasad, James Erwin, Mike Palicz, Jack Heretik, and Drew Nirenberg.