2024 will be remembered as a year of profound change, marked by significant political shifts, breakthrough technological innovations, and strong leadership figures with compelling stories. Against this backdrop, certain individuals have emerged as key figures, capturing the world’s attention and shaping the direction of global development.
These newsmakers have faced challenges and achieved victories that have been closely watched throughout the year. In a survey of 6,367 readers by the English-language Epoch Times, they have been selected as the most important figures of 2024.
The election of President Donald Trump in the English-language Epoch Times American Newsmaker poll with a resounding victory of 96.9% of first-choice votes reflects his importance in the political landscape of 2024. In a turbulent year, Trump has been at the forefront of headlines, reshaping the political landscape and solidifying his position as a transformative figure in American politics.
In a historic election this year, Trump secured both the electoral and popular votes, and he will be inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States on January 20, 2025, at a critical moment when the country is facing economic challenges and global instability.
Trump’s journey back to the White House has been filled with extraordinary challenges, including multiple legal battles and two assassination attempts, highlighting his resilience, steadfast political base, and the enduring appeal of his slogan “Make America Great Again.”
Trump has outlined an ambitious agenda for his second term and has pledged to implement it swiftly. His plans include significant reduction of federal government employees, massive deportation of illegal immigrants, strengthening border security, abolishing transgender policies in the education sector, pardoning many detainees of the Capitol Hill January 6th incident, greatly increasing domestic energy production, and imposing comprehensive tariffs on foreign imports.
Recently, Trump stated, “I’m going to close the border, drilling, drilling, drilling,” summarizing his top priorities for the first 100 days back in office.
Trump’s inspiring return to the promise of American greatness and his dramatic path to reclaim power in the face of major challenges have garnered widespread media attention. Trump was named “Person of the Year” by Time magazine, marking his second time receiving this honor in the past decade.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ranked second in the Epoch Times survey, followed closely by Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden, who played crucial roles in shaping the political narrative of the year.
Independent presidential candidate Robert Kennedy unexpectedly decided to withdraw from the race and instead support Trump, attracting widespread attention, after which he was nominated to serve as the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Meanwhile, Harris’s historic but unsuccessful presidential campaign drew national attention, and Biden led a government that experienced significant events on the global stage, including the U.S. reactions to the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars.
The nominees for “American Newsmakers of the Year” encompass significant figures who have had a profound impact on American politics and culture in 2024.
Elon Musk stood out for his continued influence on innovation and public opinion, while Vice President J.D. Vance and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy became voices reshaping the political landscape. Tulsi Gabbard and Tucker Carlson highlighted the enduring influence of unconventional, outspoken officials and commentators in the American political and cultural discourse.
Argentine President Javier Milei overwhelmingly won the title of the Epoch Times Annual International Newsmaker, receiving 76.6% of first-choice votes. Milei’s reformist leadership capabilities and bold economic reform measures deeply resonated with readers, making him an iconic figure of global liberal ideals and fiscal discipline.
When Milei took office in November 2023, Argentina faced near-disastrous economic conditions: monthly inflation rates of about 25%, a poverty rate exceeding 40%, a fiscal deficit accounting for 15% of the GDP, and the economy in recession.
Since taking office, Milei has implemented sweeping reforms aimed at stabilizing the economy, cutting bloated bureaucracies, reducing government spending by 30%, and rebalancing trade. His measures have significantly reduced the inflation rate to 2.4% per month, marked the country’s first budget surplus in over a decade, and garnered international attention as a model of fiscal turnaround.
“We have faced severe tests,” Milei recently told the Argentine people, “We are coming out of the desert, the recession is over, and the country is finally beginning to recover.”
Milei’s leadership has also sparked cultural reforms, with his speeches on freedom and personal responsibility challenging Argentina’s deep-rooted socialist ideals of the past few decades. By dismantling inefficient bureaucracies, promoting free-market policies, Milei has reshaped the country’s conversation, sparking debates on future governance and economic freedom.
The nominees for International Newsmaker of the Year reflect readers’ recognition of leaders who have had a significant impact on global affairs in 2024.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ranked second for his continued leadership in positioning the world’s largest democracy as a rising global power and successfully securing historic re-election authorization. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum ranked third for her groundbreaking victory as Mexico’s first female president, with her party obtaining a supermajority that allowed for controversial constitutional reforms.
The candidates reflect readers’ acknowledgment of leaders shaping significant global impacts in 2024.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu drew attention for his handling of challenges in the Israel-Hamas conflict, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky became a symbol of resilience in the country’s long-standing war with Russia. Russian President Putin also appeared on the candidate list, reflecting his continued geopolitical influence.
Trump also appeared on the Annual International Newsmaker list, indicating his impact on the global conservative agenda, influencing debates on trade, immigration, and national sovereignty.
Elon Musk dominated the field of innovation in 2024, garnering 96.5% of first-choice votes and becoming the Epoch Times’ Annual Innovator Newsmaker.
Under Musk’s leadership, SpaceX successfully used robotic arms to capture the Starship booster rocket, setting a new benchmark for reusable spaceflight, while Neuralink made breakthroughs in brain chip implants. Musk’s Tesla continued to lead the electric vehicle industry, consolidating his influence in several sectors.
In addition to these notable achievements, Musk made progress in renewable energy and transportation infrastructure. In 2024, Tesla began manufacturing prototype batteries using dry electrode technology, a development that is expected to significantly reduce costs and pave the way for more affordable electric vehicles. Additionally, Musk’s Starlink satellite network reached a new milestone in global internet coverage, providing high-speed connectivity to underserved areas and promoting economic opportunities in remote regions.
The nominees for the Annual Innovator Newsmaker included Jensen Huang, who drove Nvidia’s advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), and Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, who sparked important discussions on the ethical aspects of artificial intelligence. Mads Krogsgaard, from Novo Nordisk, was recognized for disruptive innovations in the healthcare sector.
The written nominees highlighted the numerous innovators who left a profound impact in 2024, including Alex Karp of Palantir and Vivek Ramaswamy, who led the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Musk’s public leadership, showcasing the interplay of technology, leadership, and cultural influence.
Caitlin Clark’s rapid rise in 2024 had a transformative impact on women’s basketball in the United States, with her garnering 45.9% of first-choice votes to become the Epoch Times’ Sports Newsmaker of the Year.
Clark’s exceptional talent and dynamic playing style increased the popularity and viewership of women’s basketball, a phenomenon known as the “Caitlin Clark effect.”
During her college career, Clark’s games attracted unprecedented audiences. Clark’s participation in the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Final became the most-watched college women’s basketball game in history, averaging 9.9 million viewers.
Following her record-breaking college career, in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Clark was selected as the first overall pick by the Indiana Fever, directly impacting viewership. She helped the Fever enter the playoffs for the first time since 2017, attracting numerous fans with her outstanding shooting range and organizational skills.
After being named the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, she also made the All-WNBA Team, becoming the fifth rookie in the league’s 28-year history to make the All-WNBA Team.
Sports Newsmaker of the Year nominees included gymnast Simone Biles, who triumphed at the Olympics, winning multiple gold medals; swimmer Katie Ledecky, whose impressive performance at the Paris Olympics further solidified her status as one of the greatest athletes in history. Novak Djokovic was also recognized for his record-breaking achievements in men’s tennis.
Nominees like Japanese baseball player Shohei Ohtani and Argentine footballer Lionel Messi highlighted the global reach of sports, and the lasting impact athletes continue to have on inspiring others in different fields.
The newsmakers of 2024 demonstrate how individual actions can influence the course of nations, industries, and cultures. Leaders like Trump and Milei have reshaped the political landscape, while Musk and Clark have pushed the limits in innovation and sports.
As 2025 approaches, their stories serve as a reminder that great challenges create great opportunities.