In a significant announcement, **Time Magazine** has once again chosen **Donald Trump** as its **Person of the Year** for 2023. This marks a historic second recognition for Trump, who first received this honor in 2016 after securing victory in the presidential election. In this latest recognition, the honor not only highlights his influential presence in American politics but also signifies a notable comeback in his political career.
**Sam Jacobs**, the Editor-in-Chief of Time, expressed in his letter to readers that Trump has orchestrated “a comeback of historic proportions” and played a pivotal role in “driving a once-in-a-generation political realignment.” This realignment, according to Jacobs, has significantly reshaped the American presidency and altered the nation’s role on the world stage. Following the announcement, Trump celebrated by ringing the opening bell at the **New York Stock Exchange** during a ceremony attended by family and supporters, who chanted “U-S-A” in honor of their leader.
In a detailed interview with **Time**, Trump took the opportunity to reiterate his plans for a potential second term as President. He indicated intentions to reevaluate cases concerning supporters who were involved in the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021, maintaining previous pledges to issue pardons. Additionally, he promised an unprecedented economic landscape, stating, “an economy the likes of which nobody’s ever seen before,” alongside ambitions to substantially reduce taxes.
Time’s recognition of its Person of the Year, which began in 1927 under the title “Man of the Year,” serves to identify individuals or movements that have profoundly affected the events of the year, for better or worse. Over the years, winners have included a distinguished group, such as climate activist **Greta Thunberg**, former President **Barack Obama**, **Mark Zuckerberg** of Meta, **Pope Francis**, and **Volodymyr Zelensky**, the President of Ukraine.
The magazine’s editorial team ultimately decides upon the recipient of this prestigious award, which this year considered ten prominent figures, including **Vice President Kamala Harris**, the **Princess of Wales**, and **Elon Musk**, the CEO of **Tesla**. Interestingly, Musk has recently aligned himself more closely with Trump, as he is poised to lead an advisory board designated as the Department of Government Efficiency.
A key reason for Trump’s recognition is his purported political revival; Time indicated that he achieved an astonishing political comeback with his recent victory in the **2024 election**. He notably engaged with a younger demographic of male voters, which propelled him to a decisive win that allowed him to claim the popular vote for the first time, thus turning all pivotal swing states to Republican support.
This latest election victory marked historic milestones—Trump is now the oldest person to hold the office in U.S. history. Additionally, he stands out as the first convicted felon to be elected President, having been convicted of 34 counts of fraud by a New York jury earlier this year.
During his campaign, Trump shared insights about his envisioned reforms for a second term, aiming to overhaul the U.S. immigration system and enforcing the deportation of millions. He has previously expressed dissatisfaction in 2015 when he was overlooked for the magazine cover in favor of former Chancellor **Angela Merkel** of Germany. However, his designation as Person of the Year post-election was received as a “great honor,” as he noted his lifelong appreciation for Time.
Despite the recognition, Trump has not refrained from critiquing the magazine’s choices over the years, including expressing disappointment regarding the selection of **Taylor Swift** as Person of the Year for 2023. As Trump continues to dominate discussions in political spheres, his recognition as Time’s Person of the Year solidifies his enduring role in shaping contemporary American politics.
