President Trump loves Time magazine.
He loves it so much that for years he had a fake Time cover featuring himself hanging in his resorts and offices.
Fake Time Magazine, cover, right, hung on Mar-a-Lago wall near entrance. @TB_Times @realDonaldTrump @TIMEMagUSA
Last year, to no one's surprise, Trump was named "Person of the Year" after his shocker of an election victory.
Donald Trump is TIME's Person of the Year 2016 #TIMEPOY https://t.co/5pTGOksevE
It was a big day for him.
Thank you to Time Magazine and Financial Times for naming me "Person of the Year" - a great honor!
Especially as he had sour grapes from the year before, when they picked Angela Merkel.
I told you @TIME Magazine would never pick me as person of the year despite being the big favorite They picked person who is ruining Germany
But on Friday night, the president tweeted that he'd turned down the magazine's offer to "PROBABLY" honor him again this year, because "probably is no good."
Time Magazine called to say that I was PROBABLY going to be named “Man (Person) of the Year,” like last year, but I… https://t.co/yFDS5Pz9yB
People were quick to mock what some thought sounded like a pre-emptive excuse for not being chosen this year.
That sound you hear is 60 million Americans yelling "Sure, Jan." https://t.co/s9qLYyJgcB
Trump really does have a girlfriend, and they’re getting pretty serious, but she lives in Niagra Falls, and he forg… https://t.co/TfxHkzIy5W
i had a friend in 3rd grade who used to say he had special Star Wars figures that weren't sold in stores. every tim… https://t.co/OSa0hHtdNl
"you know the only reason i'm not going to that party tonight is i have to hang out with my hot girlfriend. she, uh… https://t.co/bdFEnk9WXk
Some people told their own stories about turning down awards they weren't offered, including tennis superstar Andy Murray.
Bbc just called to say I was PROBABLY going to be named sports personality of the year but I would have to agree to… https://t.co/2vCNQO1U9B
@realDonaldTrump I was going to be Mr. Universe, but my skinny legs and love handles made me turn it down. Sad. No thanks!
@realDonaldTrump Preach on, that also happened to me in 2006 but I had to wash my hair that day.
But former Obama adviser Dan Pfeiffer just felt kinda sorry for Trump.
This Tweet is so sad. Imagine being super rich, President of the United States, and still being so needy for approv… https://t.co/0HhymXDFXd
A few former Time employees, including ex managing editor Richard Stengel, weighed in to say that Trump's description of the selection process is not how it works.
Hate to tell you but that PROBABLY means you’re NOT Person of the Year. They just wanted a photo shoot. But I’m sur… https://t.co/0xQVsRaFlg
I worked at Time mag for 15 years. Doesn’t work this way. 1. Time tries to interview/shoot several possibilities 2… https://t.co/vJHuldbS3p
Time's current Chief Content Officer Alan Murray elaborated, tweeting "Amazing. Not a speck of truth here."
Amazing. Not a speck of truth here—Trump tweets he 'took a pass' at being named TIME's person of the year https://t.co/D6SJgyTpcY
The magazine itself even said the president had his facts wrong.
The President is incorrect about how we choose Person of the Year. TIME does not comment on our choice until public… https://t.co/cFgPgaJ3lv
Still, actor Patricia Arquette had a helpful suggestion for the president.
@realDonaldTrump You can always print yourself another fake cover.