Donald Trump, the United States President-elect, was named Time’s 2024 Person of the Year on Thursday, marking a historic political comeback.
In a statement from Time’s Editor-in-Chief, Sam Jacobs, the magazine lauded Trump for orchestrating a remarkable political resurgence, reshaping the American presidency, and redefining the country’s role on the global stage.
Trump’s victory, according to Time, marks a “once-in-a-generation political realignment.”
Time’s feature declared Trump as “the world’s most powerful man,” highlighting his unprecedented political revival after his tumultuous first term.
His presidency ended in controversy, notably his attempts to overturn the 2020 election, which culminated in the U.S. Capitol attack.
Despite this, Trump defied expectations, securing a dominant position in the Republican Party after launching his 2024 campaign amidst multiple criminal investigations.
“Trump’s political resurrection is unmatched in American history,” the article noted, detailing how, less than a year after launching his campaign, he clinched one of the fastest and most contested Republican primaries in history.
Time emphasized how Trump has reshaped the Republican Party and realigned American politics. His victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the most recent election left Democrats questioning their strategies and the future of their party.
The magazine pointed out that while Democrats focused on upholding liberal democratic norms, Trump capitalized on growing dissatisfaction, tapping into a widespread belief that the political system was flawed and rigged.
As Trump prepares to return to the White House, Time highlighted the significant challenges he faces, including a globalized economy, mass migration, and tensions with China. Additionally, he inherits an unstable international landscape, with ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Time also referenced the July assassination attempt on Trump, an event he described as one that “changed a lot of people.”
As Democrats remain wary of his second term, there are concerns about how Trump will leverage his newfound power, especially with the Supreme Court decision granting him immunity from re-election constraints.
Time pointed out that while the election gave Trump considerable political capital, the world is waiting to see how he will wield it.
At 78, Trump was also scheduled to appear at the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday morning to ring the opening bell.
This marks his second Time Person of the Year recognition, his first coming in 2016 after his initial presidential victory. Last year’s recipient was pop star Taylor Swift.
