The Shocking Legacy: Why Donald Trump Was Named TIME's Person Of The Year 2016

The year 2016 was an earthquake in global politics, an era-defining moment that culminated in one of the most controversial selections in the 90-year history of the award. On December 7, 2016, TIME Magazine announced its Person of the Year, choosing the man who had just pulled off one of the greatest political upsets in modern American history: President-elect Donald J. Trump. The designation was not an endorsement, but a recognition of the individual who, for better or worse, had the greatest influence on the events of the year.

The magazine’s choice immediately ignited a firestorm, perfectly encapsulating the deeply polarized political climate of the "divided states of America" that Trump was set to inherit. His selection acknowledged a political phenomenon, a figure who had fundamentally reshaped the American presidency and altered the course of history through sheer, disruptive force.

Donald J. Trump: Biography and The Origin Story of a Political Realignment

Donald John Trump’s selection as TIME’s Person of the Year in 2016 serves as the definitive marker for his transition from a celebrity real estate mogul to the most influential political figure on the planet. His biography is a study in relentless self-promotion and unconventional success, culminating in a victory few predicted.

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• Full Name: Donald John Trump
• Born: June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York City, New York
• Education: Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania (B.S. in Economics)
• Pre-Political Career: Real estate developer, founder of The Trump Organization, television personality (host of The Apprentice).
• Key Political Milestone (2016): Defeated former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election on November 8, 2016, despite losing the popular vote.
• TIME Person of the Year Title: "President-elect of the Divided States of America."
• The 2016 Interview Location: His penthouse on the 66th floor of Trump Tower in New York City.

The magazine's editors noted that Trump's victory was a "comeback of historic proportions," driven by a message that resonated deeply with a segment of the American electorate feeling left behind by globalization and coastal elites. The 2016 election was a profound political realignment, one that *TIME* could not ignore.

The True Meaning Behind the Controversial 2016 Selection

The annual TIME Person of the Year is often misunderstood as an honor or an endorsement. The magazine's long-standing tradition is to select the person who, "for better or for worse, has done the most to influence the events of the year." This crucial distinction is the key to understanding the 2016 choice.

The Upset Victory and the "Divided States"

Trump’s presidential campaign defied every established political norm. He successfully harnessed social media, bypassed traditional media gatekeepers, and spoke directly to his base, creating a movement that political analysts struggled to categorize. The magazine's editor-in-chief at the time, Nancy Gibbs, clearly articulated the reasoning: Trump had not just won an election; he had fundamentally changed the rules of politics.

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The cover itself, featuring Trump seated in his Trump Tower penthouse, bore the provocative title: "President of the Divided States of America." This phrase acknowledged the deep rifts—cultural, economic, and political—that his campaign had exposed and exacerbated. The 2016 choice was a mirror held up to the nation, reflecting its deep polarization.

The Historical Context of Influence

To defend the controversial nature of the selection, *TIME* often points to its history. The award has previously been given to figures whose influence was undeniably negative, such as Adolf Hitler (1938) and Joseph Stalin (1939 and 1942). The selection of Donald Trump in 2016 placed him in a category of individuals whose impact was massive, regardless of moral judgment. This context is vital for understanding the gravity of the 2016 decision.

His victory signaled the rise of a new populist wave, not just in the U.S. but globally, a theme echoed by the inclusion of other figures on the shortlist, such as Nigel Farage, the face of the Brexit movement in the United Kingdom. This global trend of anti-establishment sentiment made Trump the symbolic figurehead of a world in flux.

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The Finalists and The Entities That Defined 2016

The selection process for the Person of the Year involves a rigorous debate among *TIME*'s editors, who narrow down a long list to a select group of finalists. The 2016 shortlist highlights the diverse and turbulent nature of the year, spanning politics, science, and culture. These are the entities that were deemed to have profoundly influenced the global landscape alongside the ultimate winner:

• Hillary Clinton: The Democratic nominee and runner-up, whose historic campaign as the first female major-party presidential candidate represented the traditional political establishment that Trump’s movement sought to overturn.
• CRISPR Scientists: The innovators behind the revolutionary gene-editing technology, representing a profound scientific breakthrough with massive implications for humanity's future.
• Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: The President of Turkey, recognized for consolidating power following a failed coup attempt, symbolizing the global trend toward strongman politics.
• Nigel Farage: The former leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP), the key figure in the successful "Brexit" vote, representing the populist, nationalist surge across the West.
• Vladimir Putin: The President of Russia, a perennial figure of influence in global affairs, especially given the context of U.S. election interference allegations.
• Simone Biles: The American Olympic gymnast, who dominated the Rio Games, representing athletic excellence and cultural impact.
• Beyoncé Knowles: The global music superstar, recognized for her cultural, political, and artistic influence, particularly with her groundbreaking album, Lemonade.

The inclusion of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump on the list underscored the all-consuming nature of the 2016 election. The choice ultimately came down to which figure represented the most significant, disruptive force—a force that, in the eyes of the editors, was Trump's successful political realignment.

The Enduring and Unprecedented Legacy: 2016 to Today

Looking back from the current date, the 2016 selection of Donald Trump is not merely a historical footnote; it is the origin story of a political era that continues to unfold. The choice was a prediction of the enduring influence he would have on American and global politics. The themes identified by *TIME* in 2016—polarization, anti-establishment sentiment, and the reshaping of the presidency—have only intensified in the years since.

The ultimate testament to the profound, long-term influence recognized by the 2016 award is the unprecedented fact that Donald Trump was again named *TIME* Person of the Year in 2024, following another successful presidential bid. This dual recognition—separated by eight years—is unparalleled for a single individual in the history of the award, solidifying the 2016 choice as the moment *TIME* identified a political force of nature that would dominate the global conversation for a decade or more.

The 2016 designation, "President-elect of the Divided States of America," was prophetic. It was a clear-eyed assessment of the figure who, by marshaling a historic comeback and driving a political realignment, had become the undeniable center of gravity in world events, for better or for worse. The legacy of the 2016 selection is therefore a continuous, evolving narrative of political disruption and cultural division that remains the dominant story of the modern era.