Zohran Mamdani leads prediction markets for TIME Person of the Year

Prediction markets on platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket indicate that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Pope Leo XIV are the current favorites to be named TIME’s Person of the Year for 2026.

Mamdani has seen a steady rise in his market price, leading the board ahead of Donald Trump, who remains a central figure in the odds. The markets also reflect interest in technological shifts, with AI and ChatGPT appearing as contenders.

The relationship between the leading candidates and Donald Trump has been characterized by tension. While Mamdani and Trump previously engaged in brief periods of potential collaboration, they have since clashed over New York tax policies and immigration. Similarly, Pope Leo XIV has had a fraught relationship with the White House, frequently criticizing administration policies.