President-elect Donald Trump has been named Time's Person of the Year for 2024. The recognition highlights his political resurgence after a historic year filled with challenges, including assassination attempts and a felony conviction.
"For marshaling a comeback of historic proportions," Time wrote, "Donald Trump is Time's 2024 Person of the Year." The magazine praised his role in reshaping the presidency and altering America's global standing.
The announcement wasn’t a surprise. Time traditionally picks the presidential election winner, a tradition since 2000. Trump, who first won the honor in 2016, will mark the occasion by ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange.
"Since he began running in 2015, no one has altered the political landscape like Trump," Time added. "He stands at the center of the world, as strong as ever."
Trump's win in November made him the second president after Grover Cleveland to serve non-consecutive terms. After clinching the Republican nomination, Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris, who replaced President Biden following Biden's withdrawal under party pressure.
Despite polls predicting a tight race, Trump secured a decisive Electoral College win, flipping all major battleground states. He also captured the popular vote, leaving Democrats stunned as Republicans took control of both Congress and the White House.
In July, Trump narrowly survived an assassination attempt during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. A shooter wounded him and hit three others, one fatally. Blood streaked across his face as he raised his fist, shouting "Fight!" to the roaring crowd. The moment became iconic in American political history.
Later that week, Trump accepted the Republican nomination, honoring Corey Comperatore, a fireman killed in the Butler attack. Another assassination attempt in Florida was thwarted in September when Secret Service stopped a man with an AK-47 near Trump.
"God spared my life to save this country," Trump declared during his victory speech. "Together, we will restore America to greatness."
Earlier in the year, Trump became the first former president convicted of a crime. He faced 34 counts of falsifying business records in New York related to a payment to Stormy Daniels. While his sentencing remains delayed, other cases against him are stalled or dismissed as he prepares to take office.
Trump now leads a transition marked by heated battles over Cabinet appointments. Returning to the White House, he continues to defy norms, with questions lingering about how he’ll tackle inflation, illegal immigration, and deep state politics.
Time's other finalists included Kamala Harris, Elon Musk, Joe Rogan, and Benjamin Netanyahu. Last year’s winner was pop star Taylor Swift, celebrated for her record-breaking "Eras" tour.