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Donald Trump says he shunned Time over Person of the Year

Time Donald Trump on the Time coverTime
Mr Trump was named Time's Person of the Year in 2016 after his election to the presidency

Time Magazine is disputing US President Donald Trump's account of how he rejected a request for an interview and photo shoot ahead of its Person of the Year issue.

On Friday, Mr Trump tweeted that Time had called to say he was "probably" going to be named Person of the Year.

But Time later said the president was incorrect about how it makes its choice.

The president was awarded the title last year.

He has previously falsely claimed that he holds the record for cover appearances on Time Magazine.

The magazine's tradition - begun in 1927 as "Man of the Year" - recognises the person who "for better or for worse... has done the most to influence the events of the year".

Time said it did not comment on its choice until publication, and that its decision would be revealed on 6 December.

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The publication invites readers to vote on who they think has earned the title, but the final decision is made by editors.

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A former editor of the magazine, Richard Stengel, said the use of the word "probably" meant Mr Trump had missed out on the accolade.

In June, the Washington Post revealed that several of Mr Trump's golf clubs prominently display a framed copy of a fake Time cover featuring several positive headlines and Trump as its cover.

Richard Stengel referenced the report when he retweeted the president on Friday.

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Twitter reacts

Tennis champ Andy Murray has also mocked President Trump - tweeting to say the BBC had called him about its Sports Personality of the Year award, which Murray won in 2013, 2015, and 2016.

US actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus quickly responded to Murray's viral tweet, and also parodied Mr Trump.

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