Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) joked Saturday that Time was considering naming him “Person of the Year” after President Trump claimed to have turned down the magazine’s distinction.
Connolly tweeted Saturday that he was “probably not interested” in being “Person of the Year,” tweeting out a fake Time cover portraying himself. The lawmaker originally created the spoof cover to mock the president over fake magazine covers hanging in Trump hotels.
“Time told me probably, which almost certainly means I could be Person of the Year but I am probably not interested,” Connolly tweeted.
Connolly was referencing a tweet from Trump on Friday in which the president claimed to have turned down Time after being informed he would “probably” be the “Person of the Year.”
{mosads}
“Time Magazine called to say that I was PROBABLY going to be named ‘Man (Person) of the Year,’ like last year, but I would have to agree to an interview and a major photo shoot. I said probably is no good and took a pass. Thanks anyway!” Trump tweeted.
Time responded on Twitter, denying the phone call and stating that it does not make the announcement for the award until next month.
“The President is incorrect about how we choose Person of the Year. TIME does not comment on our choice until publication, which is December 6,” the magazine tweeted.
Trump was swiftly attacked by many on social media for his claim.
“Hate to tell you but that PROBABLY means you’re NOT Person of the Year. They just wanted a photo shoot. But I’m sure you still have that fake TIME cover somewhere in storage,” tweeted Richard Stengel, a former editor at the magazine.
Trump called the award an “honor” when he was named “Person of the Year” in 2016.