Social media goes into overdrive with reactions to Donald Trump's announcement as Time Person of the Year

President-elect Donald Trump has been named Time person of the year for his meteoric rise to power in the US election. Photo / AP

Donald Trump's nomination as Time person of the year has proved as divisive as his Presidential campaign, with many taking to social media to share their reaction.

On Twitter, some were quick to suggest the President Elect followed in the company of Hitler, Stalin and Putin who had also received the iconic title.

LISTEN: Time Magazine's Editor at Large Karl Vick explains the choice to Rachel Smalley on Newstalk ZB

Others lambasted them for overreacting and pointed out the Pope and Angela Merkel had also been named the winner before.

The magazine's annual award names the person who has had the "greatest influence, for better or worse, on the events of the year".

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, The Ebola Fighters, The Pope, President Obama, Mark Zuckerberg, Former President George W Bush, and Julian Assange have also won the title before.

Trump has been named TIME's person of the year. I thought you had to be a actual human person to win that...#GoFigure #CrazyWorld

— Matthew Griffiths (@HashtagGriff) December 7, 2016

Trump considers being named Time's Person of the Year a "great honor." Hitler and Stalin both shared same "honor". #realDonaldTrump

— Laura Daly (@lldaly) December 7, 2016

TRUMP: The crooked media lies!
TIME: You're our Person of the Year.
TRUMP: TIME magazine is a great publication. I've always respected TIME.

— Dust20 Perr20 (@dustin_perry) December 7, 2016

Wait, did Time really name Trump "Person of the Year"?! I thought that was a joke.

— Laura 🦄🏳️‍🌈 (@akachaneen) December 7, 2016

Time's Person of the Year, #PresidentTrump No other choice as 2016 was owned by Trump. It just takes one man.. https://t.co/Oj98iIxEAZ pic.twitter.com/Dtx7nRdBEE

— My Fervent Wish is More GrrrGraphics Cartoons (@GrrrGraphics) December 7, 2016