President-elect Donald Trump has been named Time magazine’s Person of the Year for 2024, marking the second time he has received the honor. Trump previously earned the title in 2016 after his first presidential election victory.
The announcement places Trump in the company of several historical figures who have been recognized by Time for their impact on global events—whether positive or controversial. Notable past recipients include Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Nikita Khrushchev, and Ruhollah Khomeini, highlighting the magazine’s criterion of awarding the title to the individual or group that has had the “greatest impact on the news, for good or ill.”
A Historic Moment on Wall Street
Trump accepted the honor with visible pride during a Thursday morning appearance at the New York Stock Exchange, where he rang the opening bell.
“Time Magazine, getting this honor for the second time—I think I like it better this time, actually,” Trump said. “It is an honor. And this is a double, because usually they don’t coordinate the Person of the Year with the ringing of the bell. And brilliantly, you’ve picked them both at the same time.”
Trump’s Resurgence Chronicled
Time magazine cited Trump’s unprecedented political comeback as the reason for his selection. Once dismissed by much of his own party amid multiple criminal investigations, Trump defied the odds to clinch the Republican nomination in record time.
“Trump’s political rebirth is unparalleled in American history,” Time wrote, recounting his journey from political exile to reclaiming the presidency.
The magazine also included excerpts from a November interview with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, where he reflected on his journey. When asked what his father would think of his return to prominence, Trump quipped, “I think he maybe would not call it a comeback. He would have said it’s just Donald.”
Competition for the Title
Trump edged out a high-profile shortlist of contenders, including Vice President Kamala Harris, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, and Catherine, the Princess of Wales.
Time’s editorial board emphasized that the title is not necessarily an endorsement but recognition of influence. Previous recipients include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, climate activist Greta Thunberg, Queen Elizabeth II, and Martin Luther King Jr.
Controversial Comparisons
By winning the title twice, Trump joins a small group of leaders with repeated honors, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Joseph Stalin, and Dwight D. Eisenhower. However, the inclusion of notorious figures like Hitler, Stalin, and Khomeini as past honorees has sparked debate over Time’s decision.
Trump dismissed the controversy, focusing instead on the recognition itself.
Policy Priorities for 2025
In his sit-down with Time, Trump outlined his priorities for his return to the White House. He promised to use U.S. leverage to broker peace in Ukraine and reduce inflation, though he acknowledged that tackling grocery prices would be challenging.
Trump also confirmed that one of his first actions would be pardoning many individuals convicted for their roles in the January 6 Capitol riot.
“January 6 was a horrible day,” he said. “But I think it changed a lot of minds in the country. People became much more religious in that moment.”
A Divisive Figure with Undeniable Impact
As with his first win in 2016, Trump’s selection as Time’s Person of the Year is likely to spark heated reactions from both supporters and critics. Nevertheless, the title reinforces his position as one of the most polarizing and influential figures in modern U.S. political history.
With his return to the presidency drawing near, Trump’s resurgence continues to captivate headlines, solidifying his legacy as a transformative—if controversial—leader on the global stage.
