NEW YORK — On Thursday, President-elect Donald Trump had the honor of ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange, marking a significant milestone as this was his first time doing so. This event coincided with Time magazine recognizing him as its Person of the Year for the second occasion. Trump’s recognition reflects an extraordinary trajectory from being a controversial figure post-presidency to reclaiming the spotlight after a decisive electoral victory in November.
Prior to the ceremonial bell ringing at 9:30 a.m., Trump expressed his appreciation for the honor during his speech at the exchange, stating, “Time magazine, getting this honor for the second time, I think I like it better this time actually.” With his wife Melania, daughters Ivanka and Tiffany, and Vice President-elect JD Vance by his side, Trump was greeted with chants of “USA” from the audience as he opened up trading for the day, raising his fist in acknowledgment.
In his speech, Trump introduced some of the members of his upcoming administration, specifically highlighting Scott Bessent, his choice for Treasury Secretary. He also outlined his commitment to accelerating federal permit processes for projects exceeding $1 billion. “I think we’re going to have a tremendous run. We have to straighten out some problems, some big problems in the world,” he noted, signaling his administration’s ambitious plans.
The announcement of his selection as Time’s Person of the Year was made by the magazine’s editor-in-chief, Sam Jacobs, on NBC’s “Today” show, where he described Trump as a figure who significantly influenced the news landscape in 2024, for better or worse. Trump’s earlier recognition by Time was in 2016, during his first election to the presidency. Jacobs acknowledged Trump’s remarkable recovery in the political arena, stating, “This is someone who made an historic comeback, who reshaped the American presidency and who’s reordering American politics.”
In a published interview with Time, Trump recounted his intense campaign efforts leading up to the election victory, coining it “72 Days of Fury.” He described the deep anger felt across the country as a catalyst for his campaign’s impact. As he marked the start of trading that day, his image was displayed on a large cover of Time at the NYSE, with his favorite anthem, “God Bless the U.S.A.,” playing in the background. After this event, he returned to his residence in Florida.
The NYSE frequently invites celebrities and prominent business figures for the bell-ringing event, intertwining culture and politics within its traditions. Trump has long been fascinated with his appearances on Time magazine covers, having first appeared in 1989. He has, at times, claimed to hold a fictitious record for the highest number of cover appearances, with past reports indicating he displayed a doctored image of himself on the magazine in his golf clubs.
Earlier in the year, Trump had conducted interviews with Time for a piece published in April. During this, the magazine’s billionaire owner, Marc Benioff, openly critiqued Vice President Kamala Harris for not participating in interviews amidst her campaign with Trump. In his recent discussion, Trump also reiterated plans to pardon most of the individuals convicted in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, stating, “It’s going to start in the first hour.”
Trump emphasized that he would not obligate his administrative members to sign a loyalty pledge, expressing confidence in his ability to discern loyalty. However, he asserted that he would dismiss anyone not aligned with his policies. Looking forward, Trump reflected on the future of his “Make America Great Again” movement. He expressed his hope to leave the country with “extremely competent” successors, noting, “We have far more than you think.”
He hinted at a potential political pathway for family members, mentioning that some of his children might excel in politics. He particularly noted his daughter-in-law Lara Trump, who recently culminated her role as co-chair of the Republican National Committee, as a candidate in building his political legacy. “Lara has been amazing. Look, she was the head of the Republican Party,” he said.
Meanwhile, with Senator Marco Rubio awaiting his confirmation as Secretary of State, Lara Trump indicated openness to considering a Senate role. Trump has built his public persona as a prominent businessman and reality television star, leveraging concerns about the economy to connect with the electorate during his presidential bid.
In a separate interview on CNBC after his NYSE appearance, Trump drew parallels between looming personnel cuts within the federal workforce and the eliminations he enacted during his reality show. “We’re going to be doing the same thing, I can tell you. Unfortunately, there’s too many of them,” he remarked, sharing his plans for governance. Following the ringing of the bell, Trump took to the trading floor, engaging with traders and shaking hands, embodying a moment of reconnection with the financial community.
