It’s official: Donald J. Trump has been named “Person of the Year” by both TIME Magazine and the Financial Times for 2024. And let’s be honest—it wasn’t even a contest.

Whether you love him, hate him, or fall somewhere in between, Trump’s political resurgence is nothing short of historic. After being counted out by every mainstream pundit, written off as a political relic, and relentlessly hounded by legal battles and media smear campaigns, Trump not only survived—he thrived.

The Financial Times got it right when they called 2024 “the age of Trump.” This isn’t just another election win—it’s a political earthquake. Trump didn’t just win back the presidency; he reshaped the political landscape along the way.

Let’s not forget: only one other U.S. president—Grover Cleveland—has ever won non-consecutive terms. And Cleveland didn’t have to navigate a media-industrial complex foaming at the mouth to destroy him, a justice system seemingly weaponized against him, or social media platforms actively working to silence him.

Trump walked through fire and fury to get here.

The 2024 campaign was classic Trump: bold, unapologetic, and laser-focused on the issues that actually matter to Americans. Inflation, border security, energy independence—these weren’t just talking points; they were promises backed by four years of proof from his first term.

While Kamala Harris’ campaign stumbled over its own contradictions and failed to connect with working-class voters, Trump’s rallies were overflowing with energy and packed with Americans who felt left behind by Biden’s bloated bureaucracy and Harris’ empty platitudes.

His victory in key swing states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Arizona wasn’t some fluke—it was the direct result of his campaign’s relentless focus on the issues voters care about most.

The Financial Times compared Trump’s impact in 2024 to Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932 and Richard Nixon in 1968. And they’re not wrong. Trump represents a political realignment—one where the Republican Party is no longer defined by country club elites but by working-class populists.

Roger Stone, Trump’s longtime confidant, nailed it when he said historians will look back at 2024 as a “turning point.” Love him or hate him, Trump didn’t just ride a wave—he created it.

Let’s not pretend the media is happy about this. Naming Trump “Person of the Year” at TIME and the Financial Times wasn’t a celebration—it was a reluctant admission. They know that Trump’s influence on 2024 is undeniable, whether they like it or not.

For years, these same outlets worked overtime to dismiss Trump, mock his supporters, and undermine his presidency. But now, they’re forced to admit what’s been obvious to everyone outside their media bubbles: Trump is the defining political force of our time.

Sure, the shortlist had some heavyweights: Kamala Harris, Benjamin Netanyahu, Yulia Navalnaya, Princess Kate Middleton, and Elon Musk. Each of these figures has had an undeniable impact on the world stage this year.

But none of them reshaped the political order. None of them captured the imagination—and frustration—of tens of millions of voters the way Trump did.

Musk’s influence is immense, yes. Harris’ historic nomination as the first female Democratic presidential candidate is noteworthy. Navalnaya’s bravery is inspiring. But none of them could outshine the political juggernaut that is Donald J. Trump.