German Chancellor Angela Merkel beat out seven other candidates as TIME Person of the Year, including Republican presidential contender Donald Trump — and the controversial 2016 candidate had a swift reaction to being slighted.
“I told you @TIME Magazine would never pick me as person of the year despite being the big favorite,” he tweeted after Wednesday morning’s announcement on TODAY. “They picked person who is ruining Germany.”
I told you @TIME Magazine would never pick me as person of the year despite being the big favorite They picked person who is ruining Germany
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 9, 2015Others, including New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, praised the magazine for its choice, christening Merkel the “un-Trump.”
Merkel is a conservative who, on refugees, showed her compassion and political courage. She is the un-Trump. https://t.co/s9hgvEIx45
— Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) December 9, 2015Merkel received the TIME recognition for her leadership on the Greek debt disaster and the Syrian refugee crisis. In the past, Trump, who this week announced a proposed ban on all Muslims entering the United States, has called Merkel’s decision to allow refugees into her country “a disgrace.”
Merkel is only the fourth female Person of the Year, and the first solo woman to receive the TIME title in 29 years.
Here are some of the other responses to the 2015 Person of the Year:
TIME magazine has just named German Chancellor Angela Merkel as Person of the Year. Somebody get Trump some smelling salts.
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) December 9, 2015I want to be Angela when I grow up https://t.co/3q92qUToS9
— Francesca Trianni (@frantrianni) December 9, 2015A beacon of leadership balancing fiscal and social policy, in a part of the World thirsty for it. https://t.co/aiYqILDzb2 #PersonOfTheYear
— Chris LaBossiere (@ChrisLaBossiere) December 9, 2015I can't think of a single global figure who has showed more humanity&principled action on refugees than #Merkel https://t.co/cgVFwRtrW5
— Louise Finan (@louisefinan) December 9, 2015Angela Merkel becomes 4th woman since 1927 to be named Person of the Year. Only four since 1927, shame on you Time.
https://t.co/eVA9wbQlFb
— Edmundo Berumen (@EdmundoBerumen) December 9, 2015This article originally appeared on NBCNews.com.
