He defied all odds.
President-elect Donald Trump has been named Time magazine’s Person of the Year for 2024, a recognition of his remarkable political resurgence and a year marked by significant challenges, including assassination attempts and felony convictions. The magazine lauded him for his political comeback, which reshaped American politics and elevated the country’s role on the world stage. Time highlighted Trump’s transformative impact, stating that no individual has altered the political landscape as much as he has since his 2015 presidential campaign launch.
This marks Trump’s second Person of the Year honor, having previously received the title in 2016 after his first presidential victory. The choice follows Time‘s tradition of selecting the winner of the presidential election, a pattern established since George W. Bush’s 2000 win. To celebrate the occasion, Trump rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on the morning of the announcement.
Trump’s 2024 victory was historic. He became only the second U.S. president after Grover Cleveland to secure non-consecutive terms. After easily securing the Republican nomination, Trump was initially set for a rematch with President Biden. However, Biden withdrew from the race after a poor debate performance, paving the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place. In a fiercely contested election, Trump triumphed in the Electoral College, winning all seven major battleground states and also securing the popular vote, a significant shift that left the Democratic Party grappling with a daunting future.
Despite facing life-threatening events, including an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania in July and another foiled plot in Florida, Trump remained resolute. He was wounded during the first attack but continued to rally his supporters, showing his determination to continue his political mission. His victory speech reflected his belief that his survival was divinely ordained to “save our country” and “restore America to greatness.”
Alongside his political triumphs, Trump became the first former president in U.S. history to be convicted of a crime. He was found guilty of falsifying business documents related to a hush money payment but continues to fight the charges. As he transitions back to the White House, his leadership promises to reshape Washington’s norms once again, while questions remain about how he will address key issues such as inflation, illegal immigration, and global peace.
