For 97 years, TIME magazine editors have selected the Person of the Year—an individual who, for better or worse, has most influenced the world and headlines over the past 12 months.
In many years, the decision is contentious. In 2024, it was anything but—Donald Trump was the obvious choice.
In their rationale, TIME editors emphasized that since Trump began his political career in 2015, few figures have reshaped the course of politics and history as profoundly as he has. From his shocking victory in the 2016 presidential election to his tumultuous term marked by the onset of a global pandemic and widespread protests, Trump has been at the center of American and global political upheaval.
For some, his 2020 election loss signaled the end of his political saga. However, 2024 marks his resurgence. On the cusp of a second presidential term, Trump’s influence is omnipresent, shaping the lives of both his staunchest supporters and fiercest critics in what has been dubbed the “Trump era.”
This year, Trump swept aside his Republican rivals with ease, dominating the primaries in near-record time. Campaigning from a New York courtroom while facing 34 felony charges, he continued to galvanize his base. His sole debate with President Joe Biden in June resulted in Biden’s withdrawal from the race, paving the way for Trump’s victory.
Even a dramatic assassination attempt during a rally couldn’t derail his political momentum. Trump surged forward to defeat Vice President Kamala Harris, winning all seven battleground states and emerging from the election more popular than ever.
Trump’s victory reshaped American politics. He expanded his base by tapping into public frustration over rising costs and capitalized on a global backlash against multinational corporations. Exit polls indicate that Trump garnered the highest percentage of Black voters for a Republican since Gerald Ford and achieved record-breaking Latino support not seen since George W. Bush.
He also became the first Republican in two decades to win more votes than his Democratic opponent, with nine out of 10 U.S. counties showing increased support for him compared to 2020.
Trump’s influence extends beyond the United States. Members of Congress, global billionaires like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg, international institution representatives, and world leaders now align themselves with Trump, whether in his Florida residence or during symbolic moments like the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral.
Back at the center of global power and stronger than ever, Donald Trump is, for the second time, TIME magazine’s Person of the Year—cementing his place in one of the most prestigious traditions in journalism.