In a move that could provoke President Donald Trump, Time magazine’s recent cover features billionaire Elon Musk seated behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office. The stark red-backed image highlights Musk’s growing influence, raising questions about the true power behind the administration.
Musk, head of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been granted sweeping authority to overhaul the federal workforce—an effort recently hindered by multiple lawsuits. The Time cover, accompanied by a report from Simon Schuster and Brian Bennett, explores Musk’s aggressive restructuring that has left millions of government workers at his mercy.
“So far, Musk appears accountable to no one but President Trump, who handed his campaign benefactor a sweeping mandate to bring the government in line with his agenda,” Schuster and Bennett wrote.
The cover marks Musk’s second Time feature in recent months, following his November portrayal as “Citizen Musk” and a “kingmaker” in the 2024 election. The implication that Musk holds significant power could unsettle Trump, who has long valued his appearances in Time.
When asked about the cover on Friday, Trump dismissed it with a quip: “Is Time magazine still in business? I didn’t even know that.” However, Trump has a well-documented obsession with the magazine, having even fabricated a Time cover praising himself during his reality TV days.
The situation bears similarities to 2017 when Time labeled Steve Bannon “The Great Manipulator,” fueling tensions that ultimately led to Bannon’s ousting. Musk, however, has remained silent on the cover and the growing perception of his influence.
Under Trump’s directive, Musk has been replicating the drastic cuts he made at X. Despite concerns over potential conflicts of interest, the White House defended Musk’s role.
“If Elon Musk comes across a conflict of interest with the contracts and funding DOGE oversees, he will excuse himself,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated.
For now, Musk’s role in the administration continues to expand, while Trump’s reaction to the magazine’s cover remains to be seen.
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