Time Magazine has designated former President Donald Trump as its Person of the Year for the second time, having previously received this accolade in 2016 after his presidential election victory. Time Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs commended Trump for orchestrating "a comeback of historic proportions" and for "driving a once-in-a-generation political realignment" that has significantly reshaped the American presidency and altered the United States' global standing.
Accompanied by family members, Trump marked the occasion by ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange, where a crowd chanted "U-S-A." In an exclusive interview with Time, Trump reiterated his vision for a second presidential term. He announced intentions to review the convictions of his Capitol riot supporters on a "case-by-case" basis, highlighting his prior pledge to issue pardons.
Moreover, he projected an "unprecedented" economy and substantial tax cuts. As per its longstanding tradition dating back to 1927 when it began as "Man of the Year," Time recognizes individuals or movements that have significantly influenced annual events.
Past winners include notable figures like Greta Thunberg, Barack Obama, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Pope Francis, and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky. This year, Time's editors evaluated ten contenders for this distinction, including Vice President Kamala Harris, the Princess of Wales, and Tesla's Elon Musk, who is now a trusted advisor to Trump in a new governmental efficiency initiative.
Time's description of Trump on their shortlist cited his remarkable 2024 election victory, highlighted for activating young male voters and bringing swing states into his favor for the first time. His election is momentous, marking him as the oldest U.S. President and the first to be convicted of a felony, with a New York jury having charged him with 34 counts of fraud earlier this year.
Interviews were conducted with Trump in April during his campaign, during which he outlined goals of reforming the U.S. immigration system and a plan to deport millions. Trump, who expressed dissatisfaction in 2015 when he was overlooked for the magazine cover, previously celebrated being selected as Person of the Year, calling it a "great honor" that reflected his childhood admiration for the publication. However, he has been critical of the magazine's recent choices, such as the selection of Taylor Swift as Person of the Year in 2023.
