
The 2025 Time Person of the Year odds have been revealed, and there is plenty of intrigue at online sportsbooks! After Donald Trump was named the winner last year, could he make it back-to-back years on the front of Time Magazine?
I explore the latest betting odds, analyze the top favorites to win, and make my Time Person of the Year predictions for 2025!
Time Person of the Year 2025 Betting Odds
CONTENDER | BETUS ODDS | BETONLINE ODDS |
---|---|---|
Artificial Intelligence (AI) | EVEN | +150 |
Pope Leo XIV | +200 | +200 |
Donald Trump | +200 | +250 |
Elon Musk | +500 | +500 |
Pope Francis | +600 | +600 |
Volodymyr Zelenskyy | +800 | – |
Xi Jinping | +800 | +1600 |
Satoshi Nakamoto | +1000 | – |
Jereme Powell | +1000 | +1000 |
Joe Rogan | +1000 | +1200 |
J.D. Vance | +1000 | +1400 |
Kate Middleton | +1600 | +1800 |
Taylor Swift | +2000 | +2000 |
Jeff Bezos | +2000 | +2500 |
Mark Zuckerberg | +2000 | +2800 |
Artificial Intelligence is the favorite to be named the 2025 Time Person of the Year, according to the best entertainment betting sites! As an even odds favorite at BetUS, AI has a 50% implied chance to win. Meanwhile, if you like AI winning, BetOnline has a better return on your bet at +150, which equals a 40% implied probability.
This is a slight drop from where AI was previously in mid-July. AI was -125 with a 55.6% implied probability to win, and at BetOnline, even money.
Donald Trump, who was the 2024 Time’s Person of the Year, took a small dip as well, but he remains in the running at +200 (BetUS) and +250 (BetOnline). At +200, Trump has a 33.3% chance to win, so within reaching distance.
Trump is in a near tie with Pope Leo XIV for the second-best Time’s Person of the Year odds. Currently, the new Pope, who replaced Pope Francis in May, has the same odds as Trump at BetUS. BetOnline is a little more optimistic, as Pope Leo XIV has shorter odds to win than Trump.
To navigate to these odds at each sportsbook:
BetUS: Sportsbook > Entertainment > Awards Futures > Time Magazine
BetOnline: Sports > Entertainment > Time Person of the Year
Time Person of the Year 2025 Favorites
Before making my Time’s Person of the Year predictions, let’s break down the top favorites and analyze their chances for the big announcement:
Artificial Intelligence (EVEN at BetUS, +150 at BetOnline)
It’s very difficult to go a day without interacting with or hearing about Artificial Intelligence (AI) in some capacity or another. AI has manifested itself in society at a record pace and isn’t going anywhere.
Similar to when the internet was introduced in the 1980s, AI is a cultural and technological phenomenon that immediately had a ripple effect on society. As AI continues to mature, it will undoubtedly be a driving force for the way people live daily.
It’s important to note that AI is much more than simply ChatGPT, Gemini, and the variety of other AI chatbots. AI is involved in most industries now, including healthcare, automotive, marketing, and even AI sports picks!
As the betting favorite, AI is the most likely winner of the 2025 Time Person of the Year. Note that it was among the favorites when the Time’s Person of the Year betting odds opened initially for last year. However, it fell off and ultimately finished as the ninth-likeliest choice.
AI’s Influence in 2025
AI largely took center stage when ChatGPT was introduced in November 2022. It had been working behind the scenes in some pieces of software previously, but didn’t feel as influential before the launch of ChatGPT.
In 2025, AI is deeply entrenched in everyday use. Whether it’s behind the scenes or readily available, AI has likely played a role at least once during your day. For instance, car manufacturers have fully embraced AI in 2025.
Along with being integrated into the engineering and development process of vehicles, AI is involved when driving, including voice commands and sensors that inhibit self-driving technology.
This AI band just hit 1 million Spotify listeners.
No real members, shows, or past.
Everything about them—music, photos, branding—is AI-generated.But they are topping Spotify's Viral 50 charts in the UK, Sweden, & Norway. pic.twitter.com/D5M5BRxq1x
— Jeremy Kuo (@jeremykuoo) July 11, 2025
However, perhaps the biggest impact has been the proliferation of AI-generated videos and photos. Whether for good, bad, comedy, or work, AI is at the forefront in video making.
Additionally, AI music has taken on a prominent role. In July, a rock band, which has generated over a million monthly Spotify listeners, was revealed as an AI band!
Pope Leo XIV (+200 at BetUS and BetOnline)
For the first time in its roughly 2,000-year history, an American-born pope leads the Catholic Church. On May 8, 2025, Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected by his peers at the Vatican.
The self-described Chicago White Sox fan is in the running to grace the cover of the magazine later this year. Currently, the Time’s Person of the Year 2025 odds give Pope Leo XIV a strong chance of being named.
He took over the position following Pope Francis’ death on April 21, 2025. Francis was a beloved Pope, with Pope Leo inheriting big shoes to fill. It wouldn’t be the first time that a Pope is named.
Three Popes have been honored as Time’s Person of the Year: John XXIII (1962), John Paul II (1994), and Francis (2013). Francis was heavily favored to win in 2013, and 12 years later, the head of the Catholic Church would be on the cover of Time again!
Pope Leo XIV’s Influence in 2025
The biggest impact of Pope Leo being elected is his connection to the United States. There has never been an American-born Pope before, so the occasion was huge for American Catholics and society as a whole. It was breaking news on all major news programs for days after he took over the Vatican.
His appointment ties into Francis’ death, who was one of the most liked Popes of all time, or at least in the modern era. Taking on the role is a huge responsibility, but more than ever, following Francis has shone a huge spotlight on Pope Leo.
Paul Konerko got a special signed Pope Leo XIV jersey to kick off the 2005 World Series celebration pic.twitter.com/37VcdpgsTi
— White Sox on CHSN (@CHSN_WhiteSox) July 12, 2025
In any event, since Pope Leo is American and Time’s Magazine is an American publication, I think there is a greater likelihood that he’ll make it on the cover, in my opinion. Francis didn’t cause nearly as many shockwaves in 2013 as Pope Leo did in the United States in 2025.
Pope Leo recently made headlines by celebrating Mass for local homeless, refugees, and poor people. Following Mass, he invited them to lunch at the Borgo Laudato Si’, where those in attendance were free to talk to him.
“And I encourage you not to distinguish between those who assist and those who are assisted, between those who seem to give and those who seem to receive, between those who appear poor and those who feel they have something to offer in terms of time, skills, and help,” Leo said.
With this in mind, there is a strong argument to make for Pope Leo XIV for your 2025 Time’s Person of the Year picks!
Donald Trump (+200 at BetUS, +250 at BetOnline)
After winning his second term in the White House in 2024, President Trump was named the 2024 Time Person of the Year. Similar to his first term, Trump has stayed in the news cycle nonstop since taking office in January.
If it feels like he is out of the spotlight for a minute, the polarizing president often finds a way to become the top news story. The Time’s Person of the Year goes to a figure or entity who has dominated the media game, so by that criterion (this isn’t an award based on accomplishments), Trump may win in back-to-back years!
Eight presidents have won Time’s Person of the Year twice, but only one in consecutive years. That honor belongs to Richard Nixon in 1971 and 1972. He and Joseph Stalin are the only repeat winners, though Franklin Roosevelt came close, as he was named the recipient in 1932 and 1934.
Donald Trump’s Influence in 2025
Trump’s influence this year has been undeniable. Whether you like him or not, he is the focal point of American society in 2025. Trump’s policies have often been controversial, including a hardline stance on immigration, which has prompted widespread arrests and raids throughout the country.
Moreover, Trump is a primary player in the war in Ukraine and the Middle East. He has also brought attention to himself for the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files recently. The Trump administration recently revealed that there isn’t a client list and the case is effectively closed.
More recently, Trump has been in the headlines for attempting to strike an agreement between Ukraine and Russia to end the war. Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, and then shortly thereafter, invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders to the White House for a high-stakes meeting.
A historic day at the White House as European leaders joined President Trump in the Oval Office.
President Donald J. Trump is the President of PEACE. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/V91JvL7K9Z
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 19, 2025
If that isn’t enough, Trump’s tariff strategy has had a major influence not only in the United States but also around the world. Whether it’s tariffs or another issue, Trump will continue to influence life in one way or another.
That gives Trump a big chance to repeat as Time’s Person of the Year, but is there some fatigue among voters?
Dark Horses for Time Person of the Year 2025
There appears to be a race between three contenders, but it’s wise to add a couple of long shots for your Time Person of the Year betting picks. Check out our top dark horse predictions below:
Time Person of the Year 2025 Predictions and Betting Pick
Not much has changed regarding Trump from last year. In fact, he’s in the spotlight more than ever now that he’s in the White House again. By all accounts, he fulfills the requirements to repeat.
That being said, it is incredibly rare to receive the nod in back-to-back years. As I noted, Nixon was the last to do so in 1972. Also, nothing is going to change or the year after regarding Trump while he’s president, so I don’t believe Time wants to name him again.
Therefore, I have this race down to AI and Pope Leo XIV. I give AI plenty of respect here, but the election of an American-born Pope is such a big moment that it is unlikely to go unnoticed. It’s never happened before, and it’s certainly something to recognize for such a momentous occasion.
In short, I recommend making your 2025 Time Person of the Year pick on Pope Leo XIV at BetUS or BetOnline, where he is available at a fantastic price of +200!
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