US President-elect, Donald Trump rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange, on Thursday, just a few blocks from that courthouse, after being named Time magazine’s Person of the Year.
This recognition for the businessman-turned-politician marks another chapter in Trump’s complex relationship with New York. It also highlights his remarkable return, from an alienated former president who denied his election loss four years ago to a president-elect who won the White House convincingly in November.
Sam Jacobs, Time’s editor-in-chief, revealed on NBC’s “Today” show that Trump had been selected as Time’s 2024 Person of the Year. Jacobs stated that Trump was someone who, “for better or for worse, had the most influence on the news in 2024.”
Trump is anticipated to be present at Wall Street for the ceremonial commencement of the day’s trading, according to four sources familiar with his plans who were not authorized to speak publicly and shared this information with The Associated Press under anonymity.
Trump was also named Time’s Person of the Year in 2016 when he first ascended to the White House. He was listed as a finalist for this year’s honor alongside prominent figures, including Vice President Kamala Harris, X owner Elon Musk, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Kate, the Princess of Wales.
Last year, Time CEO Jessica Sibley rang the NYSE opening bell to announce the magazine’s 2023 Person of the Year: Taylor Swift.
During Trump’s first term, his wife, Melania Trump, rang the bell to promote her “Be Best” initiative on children’s welfare.
Trump’s visit to New York from his adopted home in Florida to champion capitalism in the financial hub marks the latest in a series of trips the former president has made to various parts of the city this year.
Outside of his required court appearances, Trump, ever attentive to the value of photo opportunities, held campaign events at a firehouse, a bodega, and a construction site. He also held a rally in the Bronx, one of the city’s areas where Trump made significant gains during the election.
As he nears the final stretch of his campaign, Trump hosted an energetic rally at Madison Square Garden, which was immediately met with backlash after certain speakers made offensive and incendiary remarks.
Trump has long been fixated on gracing the cover of Time, first appearing in the magazine in 1989. He has inaccurately claimed to hold the record for most cover appearances, and The Washington Post reported in 2017 that Trump displayed a doctored picture of himself on Time’s cover at several of his golf resorts.
Trump constructed his public persona as a wealthy real estate developer, a role he emphasized as the star of the reality TV show “The Apprentice” and throughout his presidential run. He secured the presidency partly by tapping into Americans’ concerns about the economy and its ability to sustain the middle class.
Trump, who often gauges public support through stock market performance, has stated that his upcoming presidential term should begin the day after the election to credit him for these gains.
The broader business community has praised his plans to reduce corporate taxes and ease regulations. However, there are concerns over his proposed tariffs and his intentions to target companies that he believes do not align with his political views.
Historically, the US stock market tends to rise regardless of which party holds the White House, with Democrats often seeing larger gains since 1945. But Republican control could shift industry performance beneath the surface, with investors placing increased bets on the potential impacts of Trump’s tariffs, tax cuts, and deregulation.
In light of his victory, Trump’s legal team has sought to have his conviction in the Manhattan case overturned.
(AP NEWS)
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