Time Magazine has named Donald Trump as its Person of the Year for the second time.
“For marshaling a comeback of historic proportions, for driving a once-in-a- generation political realignment, for reshaping the American presidency and altering America’s role in the world, Donald Trump is TIME’S 2024 Person of the Year,” Time Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs said in a letter to readers.
The Republican president-elect, Donald Trump, is scheduled to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday, accompanied by several members of his family, to commemorate being named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year.
Trump was first honored with the title in 2016 following his victory in the U.S. presidential election.
Time Magazine’s long-standing tradition, which began in 1927 as “Man of the Year,” recognizes a person or movement that has had the greatest impact on the year’s events, whether positively or negatively.
Previous recipients include climate activist Greta Thunberg, former President Barack Obama, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Pope Francis, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The award’s recipient is ultimately decided by the magazine’s editors.
This year, the publication considered 10 finalists for the title, including Vice President Kamala Harris, the Princess of Wales, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Musk, now a close ally of Trump, is set to chair an advisory board called the Department of Government Efficiency.
In its profile of Trump as a finalist, Time described his 2024 presidential victory as “a stunning political comeback.”
“He has reshaped the American electorate, activating young male voters who propelled him to a decisive victory that saw him win the popular vote for the first time and turn every swing state red,” the outlet said.
“His 2024 win is history-making in multiple ways: he will be the oldest President in U.S. history, and he was convicted earlier this year by a New York jury of 34 counts of fraud, making him the first convicted felon to be elected President.”
Trump sat for interviews with the magazine in April this year during the campaign season. During the wide-ranging discussions, Trump talked about his plans for a second term, including his goals of reforming the US immigration system and deporting millions of people.
Trump complained in 2015 when he was not chosen for the magazine cover during his first run for office, when the award went to former German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
But after he was named person of the year following his election win, he called it a “great honor”.
“It means a lot, especially me growing up reading Time magazine. And, you know, it’s a very important magazine,” he said at the time.
Despite being named Time’s Person of the Year twice, Donald Trump has continued to criticize the magazine’s selections, including its 2024 choice of Taylor Swift for the title.