Donald Trump named Time’s ‘Person of the Year’ for second time

Time magazine has named Donald Trump its Person of the Year for 2024, recognising the president-elect for his significant influence on global affairs.

This marks the second time Trump has received the prestigious honor, the first being in 2016 after his unexpected victory in the U.S. presidential election.

The announcement, made Thursday morning on X, reflects Trump’s remarkable resurgence in American politics. To celebrate the reveal, Trump is scheduled to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange, according to a source familiar with the event.

Trump also participated in a wide-ranging interview with Time last month, which contributed to the magazine’s decision.

The Person of the Year title is awarded annually to the individual or group deemed to have had the greatest impact on world events, whether for good or ill. Despite Time's declining circulation in recent years, the distinction remains a highly regarded cultural event.

Trump has long been fixated on the recognition, expressing dissatisfaction with previous choices and frequently commenting on the selection process through his social media platforms.

He criticised Time in 2011 for naming “The Protester” as its Person of the Year, and in 2015, he claimed the magazine would never pick him despite his popularity.

Following his 2016 selection, Trump continued to monitor the yearly title, even claiming he was a contender for the honor again in 2017, though Time disputed his version of events.

Despite his frequent criticisms of the media, Trump has granted interviews to prominent outlets like Time, including a notable conversation in April 2024 at his Palm Beach club.

His family, including Ivanka Trump, is expected to attend the event marking the announcement, which will also feature a rare public appearance by the former first daughter, who served as a senior adviser during his first term.

Trump joins a long list of influential figures to receive the title, which has been awarded annually since 1927. Notably, every U.S. president since Franklin D. Roosevelt, except Gerald Ford, has been named Person of the Year at least once. In 2020, the honor went to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris following their victory over Trump in that year’s presidential election