The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman is in first place in the running for US magazine Time magazine’s person of the year award.

The poll, started last week by the American weekly news magazine, sees Mohammed bin Salman in first place with 14 percent of the people’s votes.

Since 1927, the magazine has awarded the person or people recognised as extending the most influence over the news in the last 12 months.

The royal ranked higher than 2016 Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and US President Donal Trump.

In second place with 6 percent of the votes was the #MeToo hashtag that began trending on social media in October 2017 to denounce sexual assault and harassment.

Following closely behind is US football star Colin Kaepernick with 5 percent of readers’ votes.

TIME readers have begun weighing in on who they want to see as the 2017 Person of the Year with the poll’s closing on December 3, with the final result announced on December 6.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump took to Twitter on Friday to say he turned down being named Time's "Person of the Year" after the magazine asked him for an interview and photo shoot but did not confirm he would be chosen.

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. I said probably is no good and took a pass. Thanks anyway!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 24, 2017

He tweeted: "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.

"I said probably is no good and took a pass. Thanks anyway!"

Time responded on its own Twitter account: "The President is incorrect about how we choose Person of the Year. TIME does not comment on our choice until publication, which is December 6."

The President is incorrect about how we choose Person of the Year. TIME does not comment on our choice until publication, which is December 6.— TIME (@TIME) November 25, 2017

Former editor Richard Stengel went further, retweeting Trump's tweet with the comment: "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."

The magazine confers the distinction on the person who "for better or for worse... has done the most to influence the events of the year."

Trump was named the magazine's 2016 "Person of the Year" following his election, in an edition which carried the title "President of the Divided States of America."

The former real estate tycoon keeps a close eye on the award, and complained on Twitter in 2012, 2014 and 2015 about not being picked.

In June, The Washington Post revealed several of his golf clubs prominently display a framed copy of a fake Time cover featuring several positive headlines and Trump as its cover.

Since announcing his presidential run, Trump has had an antagonistic relationship with much of the US media, accusing critical outlets of peddling "fake news."

(With AFP)