NEW YORK, NY. (EETV)- TIME Magazine released their shortlist for Person of the Year during NBC’s Today Show on Monday, Dec. 4. TIME Magazine has identified Person of the Year since 1927. This title recognizes the person or group of people who, “Most influenced the news during the past year, for better or for worse.” Last year, the title was given to the then president-elect, Donald Trump, who had recently shocked many by winning the 2016 election. TIME’s choices in the past have included several U.S. presidents, Mahatma Gandhi, groups like “The Whistleblowers” and many more.
The ten finalists for Person of the Year 2017, as TIME has listed them on their website, are:
- Jeff Bezos: CEO of Amazon, who officially became the richest man in the world this year and whose fortune continues to grow.
- The Dreamers: thousands of undocumented immigrants who came to the United States with their parents when they were children. The Dreamers face fear about their futures if the Trump Administration decides to end Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
- Patty Jenkins: director of Wonder Woman, a film that gained over $100 million in its first weekend, making Jenkins the first female director to do so.
- Kim Jong Un: leader of North Korea, who continues to threaten nuclear war, argue with President Trump and launch intercontinental ballistic missile tests.
- Colin Kaepernick: the former quarterback of the San Fransisco 49ers, who began the famous and growing protest against racism and police brutality by taking a knee during the national anthem. This protest has reportedly led Kaepernick to be without a team in the NFL.
- The #MeToo Movement: the movement that has taken a stand against sexual misconduct, having victims share their stories with the hashtag, “Me Too”. This movement grew after allegations came out against producer, Harvey Weinstein, and has continued to grow as several accusations have continued to come out against high-profile politicians, businessmen and male leaders in Hollywood.
- Robert Mueller: special counsel and former FBI director, who has helped to charge four people so far while investigating the possible involvement of the Trump campaign in attempts made by Russia to sway the 2016 presidential election.
- Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman: son of King Salman, the 32-year-old crown prince has recently taken charge by coming down those accused of corruption.
- Donald Trump: President of the United States and Person of the Year 2016, Trump has made big changes in the Oval Office this year, including changes to health care, immigration policies, tax reform and more.
- Xi Jinping: President of China, who is currently in his second five-year term and was written into the constitution of the Communist Party earlier this year.
The 2017 Person of the Year is set to be announced on Wednesday, Dec. 6, at 7 a.m. on the Today Show and on TIME’s website.
