On Thursday, Time magazine named President-elect Donald Trump its “Person of the Year,” recognizing his extraordinary political resurgence, which the publication described as “unparalleled in American history.”
“It’s been an honor. And every time, it’s an honor,” Trump remarked, reflecting on receiving the Person of the Year title once again.
He humorously noted that Time had managed to time the announcement perfectly to coincide with his scheduled appearance at the New York Stock Exchange later that morning to ring the opening bell.
“They brilliantly picked them both at the same time… and it only takes me one trip,” he joked, referring to his return to his hometown of New York.
Time’s editor-in-chief, Sam Jacobs, made the announcement earlier on NBC’s “Today” show, explaining that Trump had been chosen as the magazine’s 2024 Person of the Year because, “for better or for worse, [he] had the most influence on the news in 2024.”
“This is someone who made an historic comeback, who reshaped the American presidency and who’s reordering American politics,” Jacobs stated.
“It’s hard to argue with the fact that the person who’s moving into the Oval Office is the most influential person in news,” he added.
Jacobs acknowledged that “there’s always a hot debate” about Time’s yearly selection but emphasized that this year’s choice was straightforward, given Trump’s victory on Election Day.
In his interview with the magazine, which was published on Thursday, Trump framed his final campaign efforts as proof of the public’s discontent with the Biden Administration and their call for change.
“I called it ‘72 Days of Fury,’” Trump said, referring to the final stretch of his campaign.
“We hit the nerve of the country. The country was angry,” he added.
Trump was one of the top candidates for 2024’s Person of the Year, alongside figures like Vice President Kamala Harris, X owner Elon Musk, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Kate, Princess of Wales.
This marks the second time Trump has earned the distinction of Time’s Person of the Year after a remarkable campaign victory, with his first honor coming in 2016 when he defeated Hillary Clinton.
Trump’s recognition coincided with his appearance on Wall Street to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange, an event seen as a significant moment.
Voters are optimistic that Trump’s return to the White House will bring a boost to the economy, as he has pledged to lead the nation into a “golden age” of economic prosperity.
This was Trump’s inaugural time ringing the opening bell, a prestigious honor typically given to notable figures in business and culture.
During Trump’s first term, his wife, Melania, had the distinction of ringing the bell as part of her “Be Best” initiative.
Last year, Time CEO Jessica Sibley rang the bell to celebrate the magazine’s 2023 Person of the Year, Taylor Swift.
This year, both of those honors were awarded to Trump.
{Matzav.com}