Time Magazine has named US President-elect Donald Trump as its 2024 Person of the Year, recognizing his historic political comeback and his influence on global events.
This is the second time Trump has received the honor, the first being in 2016 following his initial victory over Hillary Clinton.
Trump, who defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the November election, appears on the magazine’s cover in his trademark red tie, striking a reflective pose.
“For marshaling a comeback of historic proportions, driving a once-in-a-generation political realignment, and reshaping the American presidency, Donald Trump is Time’s 2024 Person of the Year,” the magazine stated.
This year has been pivotal for Trump.
Despite being convicted of business fraud, surviving two assassination attempts, and facing ongoing polarization, he is poised to return to the White House in January with Republican majorities in Congress.
Trump’s political influence has extended beyond America, reshaping alliances and redefining populism.
Time Magazine noted, “Trump is both agent and beneficiary of a resurgence in populism, an erosion of faith in liberal institutions, and the reshaping of America’s role in the world”.
After the January 6 Capitol attack and subsequent legal battles, many thought Trump’s political career was over.
Yet, he rose again, clinching the Republican nomination and defeating Harris in the general election.
Trump’s agenda for his second term includes controversial policies such as mass expulsions of undocumented immigrants, new tariffs that could impact global trade, and uncertainty over continued US support for Ukraine.
As a “shadow president,” he has already hosted foreign leaders at his Mar-a-Lago estate, signaling his readiness to reassert American dominance on the global stage.
Among those shortlisted for Time’s Person of the Year were Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Russian economist Yulia Navalnaya, widow of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
Trump’s recognition as Time’s Person of the Year underscores his undeniable impact on global politics, whether seen as a hero or a polarizing figure.
As he prepares to retake office, the world watches closely.