Donald Trump Named Time's 2024 Person of the Year

NEW YORK, NY — Time Magazine has named Donald Trump its Person of the Year for 2024, making this the second time he’s received the honor in less than a decade.

Trump first won the title in 2016 and was chosen over a shortlist of notable figures, including Vice President Kamala Harris, Princess Kate Middleton of Wales, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Tesla and X CEO Elon Musk, Russian economist Yulia Navalnaya, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, and podcast host Joe Rogan.

For almost 100 years, Time’s Person of the Year has been awarded to an individual, group, idea, or object that has had a major influence on world events. The title is given to those who have “done the most to influence the events of the year, for better or for worse.” In 2024, Trump’s powerful presence in politics made him a standout choice despite controversies surrounding his presidency.

Since entering politics in 2015, Trump has been a highly divisive figure, reshaping American politics. His 2016 presidential win set the stage for major events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, nationwide protests, and the January 6th Capitol insurrection. Even after losing the 2020 election, Trump’s influence continued to resonate across the political landscape.

Trump’s decision to run for president again in 2024 and his victory in November reinforced his place as Time’s Person of the Year. His role in U.S. politics has kept him at the center of the nation’s biggest debates.

In an interview with Time, Trump discussed his plans for his second term. He revealed that one of his first actions would be to pardon many of the rioters involved in the January 6th Capitol attack. “It’s going to start in the first hour,” he said.

Trump also shared his views on foreign policy, particularly the war between Russia and Ukraine. He suggested that the U.S. could use its support for Ukraine as leverage to bring Russia to the negotiating table. “I want to reach an agreement, and the only way you're going to reach an agreement is not to abandon,” Trump stated. “You can't reach an agreement if you abandon, in my opinion. And I disagree with the whole thing, because it should have never happened. Putin would have never invaded Ukraine if I were president for numerous reasons.”

On domestic issues, Trump said he would focus on fighting inflation, especially the rising cost of groceries. He acknowledged the challenge of reversing price increases but noted that reducing costs for day-to-day Americans would be one of his top priorities in office.

There is no denying Donald Trump's impact on global politics despite mixed reactions from different political groups. He joins 14 other U.S. presidents who have earned the title, all of whom have played a major role in shaping history.