NEW YORK (AP) — On Thursday, President-elect Donald Trump had the honor of ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange, marking a significant milestone in his journey from an unconventional businessman to the president-elect.
Speaking at the event, Trump described the experience as “a tremendous honor,” reflecting on the recognition he received from Time magazine, which named him its person of the year for the second time. “Time magazine, getting this honor for the second time, I think I like it better this time actually,” he remarked.
Accompanied by his wife, Melania, and daughters Ivanka and Tiffany, as well as Vice President-elect JD Vance, Trump smiled and raised his fist in response to cheers from the crowd chanting “USA” before initiating the trading day.
The event was not only a celebration of his recent achievements but also a testament to his remarkable political comeback. Just four years ago, he was a former president, marginalized for refusing to acknowledge his election defeat. Now, he stands as a president-elect who decisively won the White House in November.
Trump took the opportunity to highlight key appointments in his upcoming administration, including treasury nominee Scott Bessent, and discussed his vision for future policies, such as expediting federal permits for construction projects exceeding $1 billion. “I think we’re going to have a tremendous run. We have to straighten out some problems, some big problems in the world,” he stated confidently.
Time magazine’s editor, Sam Jacobs, announced Trump’s accolade on NBC’s “Today” show, emphasizing his significant influence on the news cycle throughout 2024. Jacobs remarked, “This is someone who made a historic comeback, reshaped the American presidency, and is reordering American politics.” Trump was previously awarded the title in 2016 after his initial election to the presidency.
Reflecting on his recent campaign activities, Trump described his final push as “72 Days of Fury,” explaining that it tapped into nationwide frustration. A large screen at the NYSE showcased his Time magazine cover as he celebrated the opening of the trading day, accompanied by “God Bless the U.S.A.” playing in the background. Following the ceremony, he returned to his residence in Florida.
Trump has had a longstanding admiration for being featured on Time’s cover, first appearing in 1989. He has incorrectly claimed a record for the most cover appearances, with The Washington Post revealing in 2017 that he displayed a fake Time cover in some of his golf clubs.
Earlier in the year, Trump participated in interviews with Time for an April story. During his latest interview, he reiterated plans to pardon individuals convicted in connection with the January 6th Capitol riot, promising that these clemencies would start “in the first hour” of his presidency. He also confirmed that he wouldn’t demand loyalty pledges from his administration, stating he felt he could determine loyalty through their actions.
Looking ahead, Trump expressed hope for the future of his “Make America Great Again” movement, wishing to leave behind a capable team. “I hope when I leave office, I’ll be able to also leave people that are extremely competent and get it. And we do have those people,” he mentioned, alluding to family members who he believes have political potential, including his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump.
As the confirmation for Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) as secretary of state looms, Lara Trump has indicated that serving in the Senate is something she would give serious consideration to. Trump has skillfully crafted his persona as a successful real estate mogul and media personality, attributes that resonated with voters concerned about economic stability.
In a post-bell-ringing interview on CNBC, Trump compared potential staffing changes in the federal workforce to his past decisions on his reality TV show, “The Apprentice.” He emphasized, “We’re going to be doing the same thing, I can tell you. Unfortunately, there’s too many of them.” After the bell ringing ceremony, he engaged with traders on the floor of the exchange, shaking hands and mingling.
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Associated Press writers Colleen Long and Josh Boak in Washington, and Jill Colvin and David Bauder in New York contributed to this report.
