In a recent online event, former CNN host Don Lemon expressed his vehement disapproval of Time Magazine's decision to name President-elect Donald Trump as their Person of the Year for 2024.
The announcement has sparked a wave of controversy, with critics like Lemon questioning the magazine's choice.
According to Fox News, Lemon took to TikTok Live to voice his outrage over the decision. He criticized the long-established publication for honoring Trump, who recently emerged victorious in the 2024 presidential election, despite facing felony convictions and assassination attempts. Time Magazine justified their choice, stating, "For marshaling a comeback of historic proportions, for driving a once-in-a-generation political realignment, for reshaping the American presidency and altering America's role in the world, Donald Trump is Time's 2024 Person of the Year."
Lemon, however, was far from convinced. He lambasted the magazine for selecting a figure who, in his view, does not embody the principles of democracy. "If they wanted to make someone Person of the Year, I dont know, they couldve done it with any person. They could have done it to someone who actually stood for democracy, who stands for democracy in the country," Lemon argued.
Despite the tradition of Time Magazine naming the presidential election winner as Person of the Year every election season since 2000, Lemon contended that merely becoming president does not automatically warrant such recognition. He challenged the magazine, asking, "Time Magazine, what are you doing? Let me ask you, Time Magazine, what would you say to those women who I guess still read Time Magazine?"
Lemon further criticized the magazine for featuring a figure with a controversial past on their cover. "You have someone on the cover of your magazine who is an adjudicated assaulter," he continued. "You have someone who inspired an insurrection. We have someone who, without a doubt, the evidence is there, tried to overturn a free and fair election. You had someone who had multiple criminal accounts and was found guilty on multiple criminal counts. And you name them Person of The Year."
Lemon concluded his tirade with a hint of incredulity, questioning the authenticity of the announcement. "Is this a joke? Did we get something wrong? Did someone scam us? Are we sure about this, producers? There is a convicted felon on the cover of Time Magazine as the Person of the Year. Maybe we're being scammed. Did someone put out a fake tweet or something about this? I dont know," Lemon finished.
This isn't the first time Trump has been named Person of the Year. He received the same honor following his 2016 presidential election victory. Time Magazine noted that Trump's campaign had significantly altered the "course of politics."
"Since he began running for President in 2015, perhaps no single individual has played a larger role in changing the course of politics and history than Trump," Time wrote. "Trump is once again at the center of the world, and in as strong a position as he has ever been."
The list of finalists for this year's title included Vice President Kamala Harris, billionaire Elon Musk, podcast host Joe Rogan, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Last year's title went to pop star Taylor Swift, who recently concluded her record-breaking "Eras" concert tour.
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