Donald Trump claims he turned down Time magazine’s 2017 Person of the Year honor — but they say that’s fake news
Another day, another incidence of Donald Trump playing the role of a man scorned. This time, he’s in a battle with Time magazine over their annual Person of the Year honor. Last year, the honor went to Trump. In 2015, it went to German Chancellor Angela Merkel. And this year, Trump has some opinions on who he thinks they’re going to pick: him, again. But Time magazine is disputing his claim.
On Friday, November 24th, the president tweeted that he was “probably” going to be the magazine’s pick for 2017 Person of the Year. But “probably” wasn’t good enough, so he declined altogether, also via Twitter. That’s when Time magazine stepped in and shut down his side of the story.
The publication tweeted a statement saying that Trump is incorrect about how they pick the Person of the Year. As we know, it’s very in character for Trump to make up whole incidents entirely, spinning them to make himself look good. It usually has the opposite effect.
Trump does seem to be inordinately obsessed with Time magazine’s honor, like an attention-deprived child yearning for a gold star. He tweeted in 2015 about how the magazine “would never pick” him for the honor. It’s hard to imagine a situation where, say, former President Obama would care more for a relatively pointless honor than for, you know, actually leading the country.
A post shared by SOCIALLY INQUISITE (@sociallyinquisite) on Nov 24, 2017 at 6:38pm PST
Here’s the tweet that sparked it all.
Time Magazine called to say that I was PROBABLY going to be named “Man (Person) of the Year,” like last year, but I would have to agree to an interview and a major photo shoot. I said probably is no good and took a pass. Thanks anyway!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 24, 2017
And here’s Time magazine’s retort.
The President is incorrect about how we choose Person of the Year. TIME does not comment on our choice until publication, which is December 6.
— TIME (@TIME) November 25, 2017
Burn. We don’t know who is telling the truth (though we can probably guess), but this situation has proved ample fodder for Twitter comedians.
Actor and comedian Billy Eichner weighed in on the situation with some good jokes.
Time Magazine called me a few weeks ago too. This led to us texting and then, of course, sexting. We hooked up a few times, which was fun. But, ultimately, it didn't seem like an ideal match. It's too bad though because Time Magazine is really hot. Oh well. Thanks anyway!
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) November 25, 2017
Podcast host and writer Bobby Finger remixed Trump’s quote and applied it to Frances McDormand.
“Vanity Fair called to say that I was PROBABLY going to be on the cover of their Hollywood issue, but I would have to agree to an interview and a major photo shoot. I said probably is no good and took a pass. Thanks anyway!” - Frances McDormand
— bobby finger (@bobbyfinger) November 24, 2017
At least we can still have Twitter jokes, even when the world is in flames. Stay tuned to see who will be crowned Time magazine’s Person of the Year.
