Donald Trump 2024 TIME Person Of The Year
Donald Trump has been named TIME’s Person of the Year for 2024, marking his extraordinary political resurgence and profound impact on American politics. Trump, now 78, returned to the presidency after a term marked by turmoil and impeachment, defying expectations to reshape the Republican Party and win the popular vote—a first for a Republican in two decades.
According to TIME, the journey to his victory was anything but conventional. Trump overcame legal battles, an assassination attempt, and fierce competition from both Democrats and independents. His campaign tapped into national dissatisfaction, focusing on issues such as immigration, economic disparity, and cultural shifts. Trump’s messaging resonated across diverse demographics, including suburban voters, minorities, and younger generations, many drawn to his populist rhetoric and defiance of political norms.
“Trump’s political rebirth is unparalleled in American history. His first term ended in disgrace, with his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results culminating in the attack on the U.S. Capitol. He was shunned by most party officials when he announced his candidacy in late 2022 amid multiple criminal investigations. Little more than a year later, Trump cleared the Republican field, clinching one of the fastest contested presidential primaries in history. He spent six weeks during the general election in a New York City courtroom, the first former President to be convicted of a crime—a fact that did little to dampen his support. An assassin’s bullet missed his skull by less than an inch at a rally in Butler, Pa., in July. Over the next four months, he beat not one but two Democratic opponents, swept all seven swing states, and became the first Republican to win the popular vote in 20 years. He has realigned American politics, remaking the GOP and leaving Democrats reckoning with what went awry,” TIME records.
One of Trump’s strategic pivots was on contentious issues like abortion and voting methods. Despite his prior opposition, he embraced early and mail-in voting, bolstering Republican turnout. On abortion, he adopted a states’ rights stance, avoiding alienating moderate voters while maintaining conservative support. His campaign also capitalised on alliances with figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who endorsed Trump after ending his independent presidential bid, broadening his appeal.
Trump’s presidency promises to challenge established norms further, TIME notes in the reportage accompanying the announcement. His plans include mass deportations of undocumented migrants, using military enforcement if necessary, and dismantling federal bureaucracy with a commission led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. Critics warn these measures could destabilise government functions and impose significant economic and social costs.
On foreign policy, Trump vows to prioritise “America First” by renegotiating trade deals, imposing tariffs, and reducing U.S. commitments abroad. He also intends to pardon individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol attack, a decision likely to spark domestic and international controversy.
While Trump’s supporters view him as a transformative leader who delivers on promises, his critics fear his approach risks undermining democratic institutions and exacerbating divisions. His presidency stands at a crossroads, poised to either redefine or destabilise America’s role at home and abroad.
As TIME’s Person of the Year, Trump embodies a polarising figure whose influence will shape the United States’ trajectory in profound and unpredictable ways.
Donald Trump’s second term promises an aggressive use of executive power as he seeks to implement his agenda with a Republican-controlled Congress. While pledging support for the Senate filibuster, Trump has made clear he will rely on executive orders if legislative efforts stall, signaling an expansive view of presidential authority. Historian Julian Zelizer notes Trump’s disregard for traditional constraints, raising concerns about the unprecedented use of executive power.
Trump’s foreign policy focuses on expanding the Abraham Accords and addressing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. He has criticized Kyiv’s missile strikes into Russia and expressed skepticism about long-term peace efforts. Domestically, his administration plans tariffs on imports to pressure U.S. manufacturing, with economists warning of rising prices.
Trump’s Cabinet appointments, including Pete Hegseth for Defense and Tulsi Gabbard for Intelligence, reflect a blend of loyalty and controversy. Despite Senate pushback on nominees like Matt Gaetz, Trump remains undeterred, considering recess appointments to bypass confirmations.
As Trump prepares to overhaul federal programs, critics warn of significant disruption, TIME notes.
“Faced with the challenges of governing, Trump seems almost wistful that his last campaign is behind him. But a lot can happen in four years under President Donald J. Trump,” TIME asserts.
