Time Magazine has named Donald Trump as its Person of the Year for 2024, marking the second time he has received this honor.
Time’s Editor-in-Chief, Sam Jacobs, said Trump was chosen for “marshaling a comeback of historic proportions,” and for reshaping the American presidency. He also praised Trump for driving a “once-in-a-generation political realignment” and altering the role of the United States in the world.
The Republican president-elect is set to mark this achievement by ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday, where he will be joined by his family members.
Trump was first named Time’s Person of the Year in 2016 after winning the US presidential election. The magazine’s tradition, which started in 1927 as “Man of the Year,” recognizes the person or movement that has done the most to influence events during the year, for better or worse.
Previous winners of this award include climate change activist Greta Thunberg, former President Barack Obama, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Pope Francis, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
In its description of Trump, Time highlighted his “stunning political comeback” in the 2024 election, where he activated young male voters to help him win the popular vote for the first time. His victory also saw him turn every swing state red. Time pointed out that Trump’s 2024 win was historic in multiple ways: he will be the oldest President in U.S. history and, earlier this year, he was convicted of fraud, making him the first convicted felon to be elected president.
Trump spoke to Time in April 2024 during the campaign season. In the interview, he shared his plans for his second term, which include reforming the U.S. immigration system and deporting millions of people.
Trump first complained about not being named Time’s Person of the Year in 2015 when the award went to former German Chancellor Angela Merkel. However, after he was selected in 2016, he called it a “great honor,” adding, “It means a lot, especially me growing up reading Time magazine. It’s a very important magazine.”
Trump has continued to criticize the magazine’s choices since his win, including the selection of Taylor Swift as Time’s Person of the Year in 2023.
