Florida: President Donald Trump says that Time magazine was contemplating naming him the "Person of the Year" for a second year in a row but that he pulled himself out of the running because he didn't want to participate in an interview and photo shoot.

"Time Magazine called to say that I was PROBABLY going to be named 'Man (Person) of the Year,' like last year, but I would have to agree to an interview and a major photo shoot," Trump tweeted on Friday evening. "I said probably is no good and took a pass. Thanks anyway!"

A fake edition of Time Magazine with Donald Trump on the cover hangs in a number of Trump properties. Credit:Screengrab/Washington Post

Richard Stengel, a former Time editor, responded by tweeting: "Hate to tell you but that PROBABLY means you're NOT Person of the Year. They just wanted a photo shoot. But I'm sure you still have that fake TIME cover somewhere in storage."

Later Friday evening, Time disputed the president's claim, tweeting that he "is incorrect about how we choose Person of the Year."