The 2024 shortlist for Time magazine’s prestigious Person of the Year has been unveiled, featuring a mix of political heavyweights, tech moguls, and cultural figures who have shaped global events over the past year.
Revealed on NBC’s Today Show on Monday, the list includes 10 nominees, with former U.S. President and President-elect Donald Trump among the contenders. Trump’s inclusion follows his political comeback, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris in a highly charged election marred by assassination attempts and intense polarization.
“This recognition isn’t just about the individual,” stated a spokesperson for Time. “It’s about the influence, for better or worse, they’ve had on global events this year.”
Kamala Harris, who vied unsuccessfully to become the first female president of the United States, also made the list. Political analysts have pointed to President Joe Biden’s delayed withdrawal from the race as a factor that may have hindered Harris’s campaign momentum.
Another controversial figure on the list is Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, under scrutiny for alleged war crimes related to his government’s actions in Gaza following Hamas’s October 2023 attacks. Critics say his policies have intensified divisions in the region, though Netanyahu remains a central figure in Middle Eastern politics.
Tech leaders Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg are also vying for the title. Musk’s foray into public service, including his appointment to the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, has kept him in the spotlight. Zuckerberg, the Meta CEO, continues to influence global communication and technology innovation.
Other nominees include Mexico’s first female president, Claudia Sheinbaum; Jerome Powell, chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve; and Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, whose philanthropic work has gained global admiration.
The winner of Time’s Person of the Year will be announced on Thursday, December 12, 2024. Since its inception in 1927, the award has been given to individuals, groups, or ideas with the most significant global impact.
As the countdown begins, the spotlight remains on who will ultimately take the title for shaping 2024’s most defining moments.
