Time magazine's bold cover features Elon Musk sitting at Trump's desk. CNN
Time magazine’s latest cover has sparked controversy by featuring Elon Musk sitting behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office. The bold move seems aimed at provoking former President Donald Trump, who has long admired the magazine and takes pride in being featured on its cover.
The edition comes at a time when Musk has been granted significant power under the Trump administration to reshape the federal workforce. His new role, heading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has allowed him to make sweeping changes, though some have been temporarily blocked by legal challenges.
The magazine’s cover is simple yet striking, showing Musk holding a coffee cup, positioned between the presidential flags. The accompanying article details Musk’s aggressive approach to downsizing government jobs, leaving millions of employees uncertain about their future. The piece, written by Simon Schuster and Brian Bennett, claims Musk is accountable only to Trump, who has given him free rein to implement drastic changes. When asked about these decisions, DOGE reportedly redirected all inquiries to the White House, which declined to comment.
This is Musk’s second appearance on Time’s cover in recent months. In November, he was labeled “Citizen Musk” and portrayed as a powerful figure in the presidential election. The latest cover implies that Musk, not Trump, may be the true decision-maker in Washington—a suggestion that could anger the former president, who dislikes sharing the spotlight.
When asked about the cover, Trump appeared dismissive. “Is Time magazine still in business?” he joked, pretending not to be aware of it. Despite his casual response, Trump has a history of valuing the magazine’s recognition. He has been named Time’s “Person of the Year” twice and has appeared on its cover multiple times. He even once displayed a fake Time cover in his properties, showcasing praise for his reality show, The Apprentice.
If Time’s goal was to stir controversy, this wouldn’t be the first time. In 2017, the magazine featured Steve Bannon, Trump’s former chief strategist, as “The Great Manipulator,” fueling speculation that Bannon was controlling the president. This narrative ultimately led to Bannon falling out of favor and being removed from Trump’s inner circle. Some observers now wonder if the same fate could await Musk.
Unlike his usual outspoken nature on social media, Musk has remained silent about the Time cover. Since returning to office, Trump has allowed Musk to implement aggressive workforce cuts, similar to how he downsized Twitter after buying the platform in 2022. Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, stated that Musk has promised to step aside from any government contracts that could pose a conflict of interest.
For now, Musk remains in Trump’s good graces, but Time’s latest cover may test their relationship. Given Trump’s history of distancing himself from those who overshadow him, it remains to be seen how this dynamic will unfold.
