Donald Trump Slams Time Cover as 'Worst Photo Ever'
Donald Trump speaking at CPAC 2011 in Washington, D.C.. Photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore under CC BY-SA 2.0.
On October 14, 2025, President Donald Trump launched a sharp public attack on Time magazine's latest cover, which celebrated his historic Gaza peace deal. The image, intended to capture a moment of diplomatic triumph, instead became the subject of Trump's ire, as he called it "the worst of all time," as reported by the New York Post. His grievance was not with the story itself, which he described as "relatively good," but with the way the magazine chose to portray him visually. This incident adds another episode to Trump's ongoing, often turbulent relationship with the media — a saga where acclaim and frustration collide in equal measure.
The Time cover featured a striking portrait of Trump, taken from a low angle, perhaps aimed to convey the gravitas of the 47th president during a pivotal moment in Middle East diplomacy. The headline, "His Triumph," marked the release of 20 Israeli hostages from Hamas captivity, a key part of Trump's peace plan that many hailed as a potential turning point in the region. Yet, despite the historic nature of the story, Trump's focus zeroed in on the photo itself, which he claimed distorted his appearance and "disappeared" his hair, leaving what he described as a "floating crown" atop his head, as reported by the New York Post.
A Picture That Sparked Outrage
The image on Time's cover was a close-up shot taken from below and slightly to the right, emphasizing Trump's right ear, cheek, eye, and nostril. The president's reaction was immediate and unfiltered. On his social media platform, Truth Social, he accused Time of deliberately selecting the worst possible photo, questioning the magazine's intentions and editorial choices.
This is far from the first time Trump has publicly clashed with media outlets over his image. Throughout his career, he has been known to obsess over photographs, often criticizing those that don't align with the powerful persona he cultivates. Even when the coverage is favorable, as it was with this Time story praising his diplomatic breakthrough, Trump's dissatisfaction with his visual portrayal remains a recurring theme.
Praise Amid the Drama
Despite his harsh words about the cover photo, Trump did not dismiss the story. Time's article highlighted the release of the hostages and the reciprocal freeing of Palestinian prisoners by Israel, framing the deal as a signature achievement of Trump's second term. The magazine even applauded the peace plan on social media, calling it a "strategic turning point for the Middle East," as reported by the New York Post.
The peace deal has been a major diplomatic milestone for Trump, who unveiled a 20-point plan to end the Israel-Hamas conflict just weeks earlier. His efforts culminated in a ceasefire and a high-profile summit in Egypt, where leaders from over two dozen countries gathered to discuss maintaining the fragile truce. Trump's address to the Israeli Knesset was met with a hero's welcome, and he declared the achievement "impossible" until now, marking a hopeful new chapter in a long-standing conflict, as reported by the New York Post.
What's Next in the Saga?
Trump's reaction to the Time cover is a vivid reminder of his complex dance with the media. Time magazine has not responded directly to Trump's complaints about the cover photo. However, the magazine's social media praise for the peace deal suggests it stands by its editorial choices. For Trump, the story is far from over. His public denunciation of the image invites speculation about future media battles and the ongoing struggle to shape his legacy.
References: Donald Trump Slams TIME Magazine Cover Photo | President Trump accuses Time magazine of deliberately using the worst photo 'of all time' on a cover praising his peace deal
