Trump’s name first appeared in Times in 1989.
From a man who was looked down upon by the media during the initial days of the run-up to the White House, the rise of President-elect Donald Trump, steering past all media propaganda that attacked his irrational stands on issues such as immigration and international relations, has now earned him the Time magazine Person of the Year award.
It is an irony that a year before, Trump had questioned the method of selection of Times ‘Person of the Year’ after he was pushed to the second spot by German Chancellor Angela Merkel who Times jury thought was the most enterprising person of the year.
Talking to NBC’s Today Show, Trump accepted what he now calls the great honor and said that he will make a big announcement within a week – the name of the Secretary of State of his administration.
“Next week will be the time I announce it,” Trump said.
According to the Times Magazine, electing Trump for this year’s Person of the Year was easy as they couldn’t find any other person who created such disruption in global stage.
“For those who believe this is all for the better, Trump’s victory represents a long-overdue rebuke to an entrenched and arrogant governing class; for those who see it as for the worse, the destruction extends to cherished norms of civility and discourse, a politics poisoned by vile streams of racism, sexism, nativism,” the magazine said.
Time added: “To his believers, he delivers change — broad, deep, historic change, not modest measures doled out in Dixie cups; to his detractors, he inspires fear both for what he may do and what may be done in his name.”
Once again, despite her getting the popular votes, Hillary Clinton was pushed to the second spot and narrowly lost once again to her rival Donald Trump.
While speaking to NBC’s Today Show over the telephone, Trump said his entry into US politics was at a time when the country was divided in many fronts and he was entrusted to bring unity among them.
Trump also thanked President Obama for guiding him in selecting his team telling, NBC that “I have asked him what he would think of this one and that one.”
Trump also added during his conversation that he is considering Mitt Romney, his rival during the primaries, as one of the contenders for the post of Secretary of State.
“It’s not about revenge,” Trump told NBC. “It’s about what’s good for the country. And I’m able to put this stuff behind us.”
Trump features as the magazine’s 90th personality to win the coveted award and his name made it to the Time magazine for the 10 time after it first appeared in 1989.
When Time tapped Merkel for the honor last year, Trump tweeted: “I told you @TIME Magazine would never pick me as person of the year despite being the big favorite They picked person who is ruining Germany.”