Former President Donald Trump has once again found himself at the centre of a media firestorm following his reaction to Elon Musk’s latest Time Magazine cover. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO was featured in a striking portrait that positioned him as one of the most influential figures of the modern era. However, what caught Trump’s attention—and that of his supporters—was the imagery and narrative surrounding the cover, which some perceived as a subtle comparison between Musk and the former president.
In a post on his Truth Social account, Trump responded to the magazine cover with what many interpreted as sarcasm and frustration, questioning why Musk was being glorified while his own contributions to American industry and innovation were overlooked. “I MADE Elon Musk successful, and now he sits behind the ‘presidential desk’ like he owns the country? SAD!” Trump wrote, referencing the cover image that shows Musk seated at a grand desk, drawing comparisons to presidential imagery.
The reaction quickly spread across social media, with political analysts and commentators weighing in. Some Trump supporters echoed his sentiment, suggesting that the media has a bias in elevating Musk as a political figure. Others dismissed Trump’s criticism, arguing that Musk’s impact on technology, space exploration, and AI has been globally recognized, justifying his feature on Time Magazine.
According to CNN, Musk himself has not directly responded to Trump’s remarks. However, sources close to the billionaire suggest that he is unfazed by the controversy, focusing instead on his ventures, including the expansion of Neuralink, Tesla’s AI integration, and SpaceX’s next Starship launch.
The North Jersey publication reported that Trump’s response has further fueled speculation about his relationship with Musk. The two have had a complicated history, with Musk previously supporting some of Trump’s policies while later distancing himself from the former president after the January 6 Capitol riots. Musk has also criticized both Democrats and Republicans, positioning himself as a politically independent figure despite endorsing certain conservative stances.
Meanwhile, as Trump prepares for the 2024 presidential race, his campaign team has reportedly leveraged the controversy to energize his base. A senior advisor told Sky News that the former president remains focused on economic policies, border security, and “restoring American greatness,” suggesting that distractions like the Musk Time cover would not impact his broader campaign strategy.
The latest exchange highlights the ongoing tension between influential public figures in the tech and political spheres, reinforcing Musk’s increasing role in public discourse beyond his business empire.
