In a bold move that could provoke President Donald Trump, Time magazine’s latest print cover features Elon Musk sitting behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office.
The image suggests that Musk, not Trump, is the true force shaping the administration, a narrative that could fuel tensions between the two powerful figures.
The cover comes as Musk wields unprecedented authority over the federal workforce through his Department of Government Efficiency. However, recent lawsuits have slowed some of his sweeping cuts. The magazine’s accompanying article, written by Simon Schuster and Brian Bennett, describes how Musk’s influence has left “millions of government workers at his mercy.”
Time’s portrayal echoes past power struggles
This marks the second time in recent months that Musk has graced the magazine’s cover, with a previous issue in November dubbing him “Citizen Musk” and a “kingmaker” in the presidential election. The latest cover reinforces the idea that Musk is operating as the real power in Washington—a notion that could irritate Trump, who has long been captivated by Time’s prestige and resents sharing the spotlight.
When asked about the cover on Friday, Trump dismissed it with a jab.
“Is Time magazine still in business?” he joked. “I didn’t even know that.”
The comparison to past Trump insiders is striking. The situation mirrors Time’s 2017 cover featuring Steve Bannon, who was once seen as the mastermind behind Trump’s first administration. The magazine branded Bannon “the great manipulator,” and pop culture depicted him as the real force behind the presidency. The perception of Bannon overshadowing Trump ultimately led to his ousting from the White House.
Musk remains silent as trump gives him free rein
Unlike Bannon, Musk has so far avoided public comment on his latest recognition, despite his frequent use of social media to engage with critics. His position within the administration remains strong, as Trump has given him significant control over workforce cuts and federal restructuring.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt reinforced Musk’s authority on Wednesday, stating that Trump has assured him full discretion in handling government contracts, with the only condition being that Musk must recuse himself from decisions that present conflicts of interest.
With Time’s latest cover stirring speculation, it remains to be seen whether Trump will tolerate Musk’s rising influence—or if history will repeat itself with another high-profile White House shake-up.
