Former President Donald Trump is set to be recognized as Time magazine's 2024 Person of the Year, marking his second time receiving this distinction. This news, initially reported by Politico, suggests that Trump will unveil the cover featuring his photograph during the New York Stock Exchange's opening bell ceremony on Thursday morning. Politico cited anonymous sources familiar with the situation. While Time magazine has declined to comment on their choice before the official announcement, the news has already generated significant buzz.
Trump was among the leading contenders for the title, alongside figures like podcast host Joe Rogan and entrepreneur Elon Musk. Time's shortlist acknowledged Trump's impact on the American political landscape and his remarkable return to prominence. Other individuals on the shortlist included Vice President Kamala Harris, Kate Middleton, Russian economist Yulia Navalnaya, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
Trump's first Person of the Year recognition came in 2016 following his presidential election victory. He expressed his appreciation for the award at the time, considering it a significant honor. This upcoming recognition will be Trump's third Time cover appearance in 2024. Notably, Time featured the iconic image of Trump after the first assassination attempt on their July cover.
Time's Person of the Year annually highlights an individual, group, or concept that has profoundly influenced global events in the preceding year. Recent recipients include Taylor Swift, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Elon Musk. In 2020, then-President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris shared the honor. In 2015, German Chancellor Angela Merkel received the title, a decision Trump publicly questioned at the time.
