TIME Magazine has released their shortlist for the 2015 “Person of the Year.” Of the eight finalists named, about half of them fall under the category of “terrible, but immensely influential” people.The magazine revealed their list of finalists Monday morning during a segment on The Today Show.
One such person that fits terrible/influential description is America’s self proclaimed greatness-rejuvenator, Donald Trump. At first glance, one might argue that TIME put Trump on the list merely because, according to Fishbowl NY, Trump said TIME wouldn’t name him man of the year.
“I say there’s no way they give it to me,” Trump said. “They can’t. Because, mentally, they can’t. They just can’t. They can’t do it. Even if I deserve it, they can’t do it.”
Upon further review, it becomes clear that horrifying figures are an overwhelming theme this year (not that they haven’t been been in the past — despite the title itself sounding like an honor). In addition to Trump, whose “populist rhetoric” has elicited op-eds calling him a racist and a facist, TIME has nominated Vladamir Putin (previously compared to facists/Hitler) and Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi.
While it’s not as clear-cut, the brazen behavior of Uber CEO Travis Kalanick, which has been repeatedly cited for acting in bad faith, should also be considered a tough pill to swallow.
Here are TIME‘s prospective people of the year:
- Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi, leader of ISIS
- #BlackLivesMatter activists
- Caitlyn Jenner
- Travis Kalanick, CEO of Uber
- Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany
- Vladamir Putin
- Hassan Rouhani, president of Iran
- Donald Trump
Obviously there are some positive figures on the list, as well, but it’s hard not to read this and think, “wow, 2015 was a great year for the worst of us.”
TIME will return to the Today Show Wednesday morning to unveil their “Person of the Year 2015.”