Joe Biden and Kamala Harris Named TIME's Person of the Year
TIME announced their Person of the Year and, rightfully so, it’s President-elect JoeBiden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
TIME Editor-in-Chief Edward Felsenthal said during the announcement, "Person of the Year is not just about the year that was, but about where we're headed, and the next four years are going to be an enormous test of them and all of us to see whether they can bring about a unity.”
In 2016, Trump was the Person of the Year, and President Barack Obama received the title in 2012.
Biden and Harris were able to do what is historically rare -- unseat a sitting president. Before Trump, a president not winning an reelection had only happened ten times in history.
In Biden’s November 7 victory speech, he said, “Tonight we’re seeing in cities all over the country a celebration of joy and renewed faith. I pledge to be a president that seeks not to divide but unify, who doesn see red states or blue states, only the United States.”
Harris said in her history-making speech, “America’s democracy is not guaranteed, it is only as strong as our willingness to fight for it, to guard it, and never take it for granted. And protecting our democracy takes struggle, it takes sacrifice. But there is joy in it and there is progress because we the people have the power to build a better future.”
TIME also honored several others. LeBron James was named Athlete of the Year, Assa Traoré and racial-justice organizers were named Guardians of the Year along with Dr. Anthony Fauci.
See the official announcement below: