Trump named Person of the Year

Time magazine has given Donald Trump, pictured, its Person of the Year accolade for this year.

The US president-elect was recognised for his stunning upset election victory that rewrote the rules of politics.

He dialled into NBC TV’s Today show, welcoming the accolade as a “very, very great honour” and praising outgoing Democratic President Barack Obama.

The real estate billionaire, who has never held elected office and shocked the US political establishment by defeating his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, is featured on Time’s cover with the headline: “Donald Trump: President of the Divided States of America.”

According to the magazine editor-in-chief, Nancy Gibbs, its person of the year – an annual tradition dating back 90 years – “had the greatest influence, for better or worse, on the events of the year”.

“2016 was the year of his rise, 2017 will be the year of his rule, and like all newly elected leaders, he has a chance to fulfil promises and defy expectations,” Gibbs said.

“Trump won by reminding America that demagoguery feeds on despair and truth is only as powerful as the trust in those who speak it, for empowering a hidden electorate by mainstreaming its furies and its fears, and for framing tomorrow’s political culture by demolishing yesterday’s.” – AFP

He won the election by reminding America that demagoguery feeds on despair and that truth is only as powerful as the trust in those who speak it. Nancy Gibbs

magazine’s editor-in-chief