Donald Trump slams TIME Magazine for the ‘worst picture of all time’ used on the cover, despite the praise for his peace efforts in Gaza. Here’s why he was unhappy with the image.
Former President Donald Trump has once again taken to social media to voice his displeasure, this time over a photograph TIME Magazine chose to accompany their coverage of his peace efforts in Gaza. Despite the article’s praise of Trump’s role in brokering the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, Trump found the accompanying image to be less than flattering, calling it the “worst picture of all time.”
The cover, released after Trump’s trip to Sharm el-Sheikh on October 13, highlighted his involvement in a historic peace declaration signed by world leaders, including Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. The peace deal, which saw Israel release 250 Palestinian prisoners and over 1,700 Gaza detainees as part of the ceasefire, was hailed by TIME as a potential ‘signature achievement’ of Trump’s second term.
Trump’s Reaction to the Cover Photo
Although Trump acknowledged the magazine’s relatively positive article, he was highly critical of the low-angle shot chosen for the cover. The photo shows Trump in his trademark navy suit and red tie, but the image’s perspective and composition didn’t sit well with the former president.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump 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!”
Trump went on to express his dislike for photographs taken from below, calling it a “super bad” angle and asking, “What are they doing, and why?”
The Gaza Ceasefire and Trump’s Role
Despite his frustration with the cover image, Trump was pleased with the article itself, which recognized his role in securing the Gaza ceasefire. As part of the peace process, Trump helped broker the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners, a diplomatic achievement praised by many world leaders. Trump, however, downplayed the attention, simply stating, “I’m good at solving wars. I’m good at making peace,” during his remarks at the Egyptian summit.
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TIME’s cover story called the peace deal a “strategic turning point for the Middle East,” crediting Trump’s administration with playing a crucial role in the resolution of one of the world’s most destabilizing conflicts. The article also mentioned the efforts of key Trump administration figures, such as Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, in negotiating the ceasefire.
Trump’s Relationship with TIME Magazine
This isn’t the first time Trump has had a complicated relationship with TIME Magazine. While he has been featured on its cover multiple times—including being named Person of the Year twice—Trump has also expressed frustration over the years with the magazine’s coverage. In 2015, he famously complained about not being selected as Person of the Year, criticizing the choice of Angela Merkel instead. “I told you @TIME Magazine would never pick me as person of the year despite being the big favorite. They picked a person who is ruining Germany,” he wrote at the time.
Trump also dismissed TIME’s annual 100 Most Influential People list, calling it a “joke” in 2013.
Looking Back at TIME’s Past Honors
Despite his complaints, TIME Magazine has regularly recognized Trump, both as a figure in American politics and globally. His appearances on the cover have included accolades for his political comeback, which reshaped the American presidency and altered the nation’s role on the world stage.
Whether he accepts the praise or not, Trump’s influence on global politics continues to make headlines, with TIME Magazine’s cover offering a reminder of his significant role in diplomatic affairs, even if he’s not entirely happy with how he’s portrayed.
