German Chancellor Angela Merkel was named the 2015 TIME Person of the Year on Wednesday morning.
Merkel, who has led Germany since 2005, beat out a diverse short list of finalists: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, former Olympian Caitlyn Jenner, Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the movement Black Lives Matter, Iran President Hassan Rouhani and Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick.
Here’s her cover:
TIME said this about their choice: “Leaders are tested only when people don’t want to follow. For asking more of her country than most politicians would dare, for standing firm against tyranny as well as expedience and for providing steadfast moral leadership in a world where it is in short supply, Angela Merkel is TIME’s Person of the Year.”
It’s been 29 years since a woman was given this honor.
Trump responded quickly after the news dropped, claiming Merkel 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, 2015
Merkel’s a good second choice. Should have been Bakr al-Baghdadi. That asshole’s done more to affect "the news and our lives, for good or ill, and embodied what was important about the year.” But Time’s afraid to pick the real winner after getting so much grief for bin Laden in 2001.
Mam, you deserve to be person of the decade for the way in which you have received hundreds of thousands fleeing conflict.
Out of all the people in the world who are affecting our lives in significant ways, they put Caitlyn Jenner on the list?
No wonder TIME has shrunk to a thin, utterly useless magazine that’s only read by bored dental patients waiting for their appointment.
A great choice. Her actions in taking in refugees in recent months showed both her toughness and compassion. Germany has come a long way since Trump’s model led that country. Perhaps Chancellor Merkel will send Trump a mustache…a la Der Fuehrer.
When was the last time a famous German leader was on the cover? What a magazine!