Quick Read
- TIME Magazine featured Trump on its cover after the Gaza peace deal.
- Trump called the cover photo ‘the worst of all time’ due to its unflattering angle and depiction.
- Despite his criticism of the image, the article praised Trump’s diplomatic efforts.
- The peace deal saw Israel release prisoners in exchange for hostages, hailed as a major achievement.
Trump Returns from Middle East to a Controversial TIME Cover
When U.S. President Donald Trump returned from a whirlwind tour of Israel and Egypt, having just signed a landmark declaration aimed at ending the years-long Gaza conflict, he expected headlines—and he got them. But one headline, or rather, one image, stood out in ways he did not appreciate. TIME Magazine, renowned for its iconic covers, chose to immortalize Trump’s Middle East peace efforts with a portrait that quickly became the talk of both media and social platforms. The cover featured Trump in his familiar navy suit and red tie, shot from a low angle, with lighting that appeared to wash out his trademark hairstyle. Above his head, a strange effect: something resembling a tiny floating crown. The headline read, ‘His Triumph: Donald Trump and the Gaza Peace Plan.’ (TIME Magazine, UNILAD)
“Worst of All Time”: Trump’s Response on Social Media
Trump’s reaction was swift. On his Truth Social platform, he wrote, “Time Magazine wrote a relatively good story about me, but the picture may be the Worst of All Time. They ‘disappeared’ my hair, and then had something floating on top of my head that looked like a floating crown, but an extremely small one. Really weird!”
For Trump, the perceived slight wasn’t just about aesthetics. He questioned the editorial decision: “What are they doing, and why?” He added, “I never liked taking pictures from underneath angles, but this is a super bad picture, and deserves to be called out.” (The Independent, Dagens)
Behind the Story: The Gaza Ceasefire and Diplomatic Push
The controversy over the image somewhat overshadowed what TIME’s article actually covered. The story detailed the painstaking negotiations that led to the recent Gaza ceasefire, describing it as a “signature achievement” of Trump’s second term. Working alongside key envoys, including Steve Witkoff and advisor Jared Kushner, Trump helped broker a deal that saw Israel release 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 Gazans detained after the October 7, 2023 events. In exchange, hostages were freed, and a path toward regional stability was laid out.
During the Egyptian summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, which included leaders from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, Trump was publicly praised for his diplomatic efforts. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, co-chairing the summit, reportedly told Trump, “Only you can bring peace to the region.” At the Israeli Knesset, Trump emphasized, “The region has a once-in-a-lifetime chance to put the old feuds and bitter hatreds behind us.”
The TIME cover story recognized these efforts, noting that the ceasefire could mark a “strategic turning point for the Middle East” and potentially usher in a new era “defined less by conflict than by the possibility of transformation.” (TIME Magazine, UNILAD)
A History of Fraught Media Relations
This is far from the first time Trump has clashed with TIME over its covers. His relationship with the magazine has swung between pride and frustration. He first graced its cover in 1989 and has twice been named Person of the Year. Yet, Trump has often bristled at what he perceives as unfavorable portrayals. In 2015, he criticized the magazine for awarding the Person of the Year honor to Angela Merkel, claiming he was “the big favorite.” In 2013, he dismissed its 100 Most Influential People list as a “joke.”
Even so, TIME’s recent article was more complimentary than combative, highlighting Trump’s role in “reshaping the American presidency and altering America’s role in the world.” Still, for Trump, the visual narrative proved just as important as the written one. The latest cover reignited his long-standing grievance: that the media, even when recognizing his achievements, often chooses images he finds unflattering or diminishing. (Dagens, UNILAD)
The Broader Context: Triumph or Tension?
While the image sparked debate, the political stakes behind the cover are substantial. The ceasefire agreement, brokered under intense international scrutiny, is viewed by supporters as a major diplomatic breakthrough. The summit in Egypt signaled hope for a new regional order, though skeptics note the fragility of any peace in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Trump’s schedule remained packed. After his return to Washington, he was set to posthumously award conservative activist Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, further underscoring the symbolic importance of the week’s events.
The TIME cover, with its visual choices and bold headline, will likely be remembered not only for the controversy it generated but for the larger story it sought to capture: a president intent on shaping his legacy, both in policy and in public perception.
In the end, the furor over a single magazine cover reveals the complex interplay between politics, media, and image-making in the digital age. Even as major diplomatic achievements unfold, the battle over how leaders are portrayed—and how they wish to be remembered—remains as heated as ever.
Image Credit: unilad.com