Trump is Time magazine's Person of the Year

President-elect Donald Trump
President-elect Donald Trump gestures as he speaks during a "USA Thank You" tour event Thursday in Cincinnati.
Evan Vucci | AP

Time magazine on Wednesday named President-elect Donald Trump its Person of the Year.

"It's a great honor. It means a lot," Trump said in a telephone interview on NBC's "Today" show.

The magazine's managing editor, Nancy Gibbs, said on the program that Democrat Hillary Clinton was the No. 2 finalist. Gibbs said the choice of Trump this year was "straightforward."

The Manhattan real estate magnate went from fiery underdog in the race for the GOP presidential nomination to president-elect when he defeated Clinton in the Nov. 8 election.

Trump won 306 electoral votes, easily enough to make him president when the electors meet on Dec. 19. Clinton won the popular vote. Trump has begun the process of preparing for his presidency and filling Cabinet posts.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.