Does TIME have business motives for not awarding Hong Kong protesters 'person of the year'?
[thefederalist.com]
Hong Kong is a polar opposite to the US right now. So, it is no big surprise that they overruled the people's choice for PotY.
Libertarian (small L) protestors vs. a Communist government in HK compared to a pro-liberty government besieged by Communist protestors in the US
The US flag as a uniting symbol among the protestors in HK compared to burning the american flag by protestors in the US
Pepe understood as an icon of freedom in HK compared to Pepe as a divisive icon in the US
I can go on, but it's hardly necessary.