US President-elect Donald Trump will be named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year for 2024 on Thursday – the same day he rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

The award comes just six months after he was convicted in a Manhattan courtroom, making him the first former US president to face criminal charges.

It was the first time Trump took the ceremonial role at the NYSE, marking a symbolic return to the country’s financial center just blocks from the courthouse where he was convicted.

His recognition by Time is the latest chapter in his contentious relationship with New York City, the place where his journey from real estate mogul to political outsider began.

Trump’s stock market “justification”

The former president’s appearance on Wall Street comes just days after a resounding stock market rally sparked by his election victory.

On November 5, after the election results were counted, the S&P 500 rose 2.5 percent, marking its best day in almost two years.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.6 percent and the Nasdaq Composite gained 3 percent, all hitting record highs.

For Trump, who often cites stock market performance as a barometer for the success of his presidency, these increases are seen as confirmation of his economic policy.

What about Trump’s Manhattan conviction?

Trump’s program promises economic growth fueled by corporate tax cuts, deregulation and import tariffs.

His populist rhetoric, which resonated with working-class voters in 2016, remains central to his appeal.

His appearance on the NYSE and his second Time Person of the Year award (the first came in 2016, after his first presidential win) come at a time when his legal troubles, including fraud allegations and conviction in Manhattan, continue to tarnish his public image .

Trump spent much of his time campaigning in New York this year, even holding rallies in the Bronx and hosting events at iconic venues like Madison Square Garden, although some of those were marred by controversial comments from his supporters.

Will Trump’s policies worsen economic inequality?

As he prepares to return to the White House, analysts expect his administration will continue to prioritize pro-business policies, as evidenced by the selection of business leaders for top positions in his Cabinet.

But concerns remain about its aggressive stance on tariffs and corporate regulations that could disrupt industry and international trade.

While Trump’s campaign promised sweeping economic reforms, his opponents warn that his policies could worsen economic inequality.

His return to the spotlight signals a dramatic shift in the country’s political landscape – one that could reshape U.S. markets and industries in the coming years.

This article contains reporting from The Associated Press