Trump Rings the Opening Bell at NYSE Amid ‘USA! USA!’ Chants

President-elect Donald Trump kicked off the trading day at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on Thursday by ringing the opening bell, following his recognition as Time magazine’s “Person of the Year” for the second time.

“The honors for the businessman-turned-politician are a measure of Trump’s remarkable comeback from an ostracized former president who refused to accept his election loss four years ago to a president-elect who won the White House decisively in November,” reported the Associated Press.

Before the 9:30 a.m. bell ceremony, Trump addressed the audience at the exchange, calling the occasion “a tremendous honor.”

“Time Magazine, getting this honor for the second time, I think I like it better this time actually,” Trump remarked.

As Trump rang the bell, the crowd erupted in chants of “USA! USA!” Joining him were his wife, Melania Trump, daughters Ivanka and Tiffany, and Vice President-elect JD Vance. Following the bell, Trump waved to the crowd.

In his speech, Trump reflected on the key members of his incoming administration, such as Treasury Secretary nominee Scott Bessent, and highlighted policies he aims to implement. Notably, he mentioned plans to streamline federal approval processes for infrastructure projects exceeding $1 billion, including environmental permits.

“I think we’re going to have a tremendous run. We have to straighten out some problems, some big problems in the world,” he said.

Sam Jacobs, Time magazine’s editor-in-chief, revealed on NBC’s “Today” show that Trump had been named the 2024 Person of the Year. Jacobs described Trump as someone who “for better or for worse, had the most influence on the news in 2024.”

“This is someone who made a historic comeback, who reshaped the American presidency and who’s reordering American politics,” Jacobs said. He added that while the decision often sparks debate within the magazine, “this year was an easier decision than years past.”

As the trading day began, Trump’s image on the cover of Time magazine was projected on a wall at the stock exchange, framed by American flags. Standing alongside his family and new administration members, Trump took the stage as “God Bless the U.S.A.” played in the background.

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Later that day, Trump announced that Kari Lake would lead the Voice of America (VOA), the federally funded international broadcasting network.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that Lake would collaborate with the incoming head of the U.S. Agency for Global Media to ensure that “the American values of Freedom and Liberty are broadcast around the World FAIRLY and ACCURATELY, unlike the lies spread by the Fake News Media.” He praised Lake’s career as a “beloved News Anchor in Arizona” for over 20 years, during which she garnered significant support for him.

“VOA was established in 1942 to counter Nazi propaganda with unbiased news and information,” Axios noted. “It operates under a legal charter requiring it to deliver ‘accurate, objective, and comprehensive’ news abroad.” The network broadcasts in over 40 languages and reaches a weekly global audience of more than 354 million people.

Expressing her gratitude on X, Lake wrote, “I am honored that President Trump has asked me to lead the Voice of America. @VOANews is a vital international media outlet dedicated to advancing the interests of the United States by engaging directly with people across the globe and promoting democracy and truth.”