Trump beats Obama to be in the top nominations for 'Person of the Year'

Not only is billionaire Donald Trump about to take over the White House from Barack Obama, he also took his predecessor's place in the top 11 nominees for "Person of the Year" in TIME magazine.

Donald Trump as a TV and movie star: Before becoming the US president, Donald Trump was famous for starring in many commercials, appearing with Miss Universe, or participating in reality TV and sports entertainment shows.

On December 5, TIME magazine announced the final list of 11 nominees for the title of Person of the Year on NBC's Today program. Compared to the previous list of 30 people, the top 11 did not include the names of President Obama and his wife, Chinese President Xi Jinping, or North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Most notable among the top 11 nominees is the US president-elect, Donald Trump. Mr. Trump, a businessman with no political experience, won a surprise victory over former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the November 8 election.

Mr. Donald Trump (left), successor of US President Obama, could become Person of the Year 2016. Photo: Reuters.

Clinton, who is running for the White House for the second time, also made TIME's top 11. She was the first woman in U.S. history to be nominated for president by a major party. Although she lost the election, she won the popular vote in what was considered the most divisive election ever.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was no surprise to make the top 11, having received the most votes (18%) from TIME readers the day before. The official title is decided by the magazine’s editors, but the results offer a different perspective on the popular vote.

President Vladimir Putin is also on the list of nominees. Mr. Putin won the title of Person of the Year in 2007.

Another leader in the top 11 is Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Following the failed coup in July, Erdogan has tightened control across the country, arresting dissidents, firing thousands of government employees and shutting down news outlets.

Nigel Farage, a politician who rose to prominence in the first half of 2016 and the UK's decision to leave the EU (Brexit), is also likely to be named Person of the Year. As chairman of the UK Independence Party, Farage spearheaded the Brexit campaign, a typical example of the populist wave that has been rising strongly in the past year.

Other names

In addition to leaders and politicians, the top 11 nominees also include names in other fields such as singer Beyonce Knowles, 19-year-old gymnast Simone Biles and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. The social media billionaire won TIME's title in 2010.

In addition to the nine individuals, TIME’s list includes two groups that could be named Person of the Year: scientists working on CRISPR, and residents of Flint, Michigan, who have spoken out about lead poisoning in their local water supply.

Top 11 nominees for Person of the Year 2016 voted by TIME magazine. Photo: TIME.

TIME has named groups as Person of the Year many times in its history. The most recent time was in 2014 when the magazine selected health workers and experts who helped stop the Ebola epidemic in West Africa. Three years before that, TIME selected protesters around the world through movements for democracy such as the Arab Spring, Occupy Central, etc.

Before announcing the final top 11 nominees, TIME selected 30 individuals and groups for readers to vote on. In addition to familiar leaders, the top 30 list also includes figures related to the US election such as FBI Director James Comey - who launched an "October surprise" threatening Mrs. Clinton's campaign right before the election, or MC Megyn Kelly - who "made enemies" with billionaire Trump.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, Apple CEO Tim Cook, and new British Prime Minister Theresa May were also on the list of 30 but did not make the top 11.

TIME's Person of the Year poll has been held since 1927 with the goal of selecting "the person who has had the greatest impact on the news and the world during the year, for better or worse." The 2015 Person of the Year is German Chancellor Angela Merkel. This year's results will be announced on December 7.

According to Zing