Podcaster Joe Rogan and Kate Middleton have joined Donald Trump, Kamala Harris and Elon Musk on the ten-name shortlist for Time magazine’s Person Of The Year.
The award went to music superstar Taylor Swift last year and Barack Obama was crowned twice, in 2008 and 2012.
Time magazine says the title goes to the person, group, or concept that had the biggest impact – for good or for ill – on the world over the previous year.
The full shortlist for 2024, in alphabetical order, is: Kamala Harris, Kate Middleton, Elon Musk, Yulia Navalnaya, Benjamin Netanyahu, Jerome Powell, Joe Rogan, Claudia Sheinbaum, Donald Trump and Mark Zuckerberg.
Kamala Harris
The Democratic Party’s nominee for president would have been the first woman ever to be US commander in chief, but she failed to beat Mr Trump, who is also on the shortlist, in November’s election.
She was previously on the Person Of The Year cover in 2020 alongside President Joe Biden, after their election victory over Mr Trump and Mike Pence that year.
Image: Kamala Harris speaks during her election campaign. Pic: AP
Kate Middleton
The Princess of Wales has had a turbulent year in which she has been treated for cancer and been at the centre of an unpleasant storm of conspiracy theories.
The magazine said the headlines around her story “stirred a conversation about privacy and health for public figures”.
Image: The Princess of Wales at Wimbledon earlier this year. Pic: PA
Elon Musk
Described by the magazine as an “innovative disruptor”, Mr Musk became the richest person in the world in 2024 and his growing connection with Mr Trump has set him up for a substantial influence on the next US administration.
He was previously named Person Of The Year in 2021.
Image: Elon Musk’s political influence has grown this year. Pic: Reuters
Yulia Navalnaya
Economist and activist Yulia Navalnaya has been in the spotlight this year following the death of her husband, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
She has spoken out against Vladimir Putin and accused him of killing Mr Navalny.
Image: Yulia Navalnaya at a protest in Berlin. Pic: AP
Benjamin Netanyahu
One of the most controversial figures in world politics, the Israeli prime minister has never been far from the headlines as Israel continues its war in Gaza.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Mr Netanyahu.
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Image: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Jerome Powell
Perhaps less well-known than others on the shortlist, Mr Powell is still a very influential figure.
He has served as chairman of the US Federal Reserve since 2018, under both the Trump and Biden administrations. The magazine says he has been “steering the ship on the economy”, a top issue in the 2024 election.
Image: Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell. Pic: AP
Joe Rogan
One of the biggest figures in new media, Joe Rogan’s “The Joe Rogan Experience” averages 11 million listeners per episode, mostly from young men, the magazine says.
His interview and later endorsement of Mr Trump in the US election is reported to have influenced some voters’ decisions.
Image: Joe Rogan has built a huge following. Pic: AP
Claudia Sheinbaum
Claudia Sheinbaum made history as Mexico’s first-ever female president when she was sworn in in October.
The magazine said: “Sheinbaum focused her campaign on fighting for the poor, and has taken office at a time when Mexico faces issues ranging from a struggling economy to rising organised violence.”
Image: Claudia Sheinbaum made history when she became president of Mexico. Pic: AP
Donald Trump
The incoming US president, who was named Time’s Person Of The Year in 2016, completed perhaps the most remarkable political comeback ever when he won the 2024 election.
He will be the oldest president in US history and also the first convicted felon ever to be elected to America’s highest office.
Image: Donald Trump at the Notre-Dame reopening ceremony in Paris this month. Pic: Reuters
Mark Zuckerberg
Mr Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook/Meta, has been under the spotlight in 2024 as his company faced government scrutiny over the impact of social media on young people.
Image: Mark Zuckerberg faced questions from US politicians. Pic: Reuters
In its bio of Mr Zuckerberg, Time magazine highlighted how election officials expressed concern at the spread of misinformation on Facebook during the US election.
Source : Sky News
