Time Magazine’s choice of President-elect Donald Trump as Person of the Year for the second time has sparked a great deal of backlash. The hashtag #TrumpIsUnfitForOffice quickly gained traction, with critics pointing to various reasons why they believe Trump is undeserving of the recognition.
One of the main criticisms comes from the Occupy Democrats Twitter account, which shared an image of Trump’s mugshot, highlighting that a convicted criminal was being celebrated as a great man. Others shared memes listing negative outcomes during Trump’s presidency, such as job losses, loss of health insurance, and massive tax breaks for the wealthy.
People also raised concerns about the contradictions between Trump’s actions and Christian values. They cited his mass deportations and divisive rhetoric, which many saw as promoting racism, as reasons why following him was problematic. Additionally, some suggested that Trump’s supporters, particularly those from lower-income groups, would be hurt the most by his policies.
In response to the situation, a Twitter account mocked up a Time cover more fitting to the reality of Trump’s presidency, highlighting issues like his impeachment—he’s the only U.S. president to be impeached twice. His campaign promise to lower grocery prices also fell short, as he admitted in his Time interview that it’s “hard to bring things down once they’re up.”
Further frustration came from his cabinet picks, including Linda McMahon, and the perception that billionaires like Elon Musk essentially bought the presidency. Critics argue that Trump’s presidency has been about enriching himself and his allies, with some even calling it a “crime spree.”
Comparisons to infamous figures like Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler, and Vladimir Putin were also made, with many pointing out that past recipients of the Time honor were not necessarily good company. In fact, Time’s Person of the Year award is often given to the most impactful person, for better or for worse, and isn’t always a celebration. It’s seen by some as more of an obligation for any incoming president, rather than a true honor.
With all of this, the 2024-2028 presidential term promises to be contentious, and many are bracing for what comes next under Trump’s leadership.