President Donald Trump is back in the headlines, not just for brokering a historic Middle East peace deal, but for calling out TIME magazine over what he deems a downright dreadful cover photo, as the New York Post reports.
Trump’s latest battle isn’t with foreign adversaries but with a glossy magazine, as he celebrates a major diplomatic win involving the release of Israeli hostages from Hamas while blasting Time for portraying him in an unflattering light.
Let’s rewind to the roots of this story. More than two years after Hamas’ brutal attack on Oct. 7, 2023, a breakthrough emerged under Trump’s leadership.
On Monday, newsstands showcased the latest cover of TIME, with the headline “His Triumph,” spotlighting Trump’s role in freeing 20 living Israeli hostages.
In exchange, Israel released roughly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners along with the remains of about 360 Palestinians -- a hefty trade that’s sparked both hope and debate. The deal, however, stands as a cornerstone of Trump’s broader vision.
Back on Sept. 29, Trump unveiled a detailed 20-point plan to end the Israel-Hamas conflict, a blueprint many skeptics doubted could work. Yet, a ceasefire took effect last Friday, proving the naysayers wrong.
On Monday, Trump received a hero’s welcome while addressing the Israeli Knesset, a moment that underscored his influence in the region. He didn’t stop there, heading straight to a peace summit in Egypt with leaders from over two dozen nations to solidify the ceasefire.
“We’ve achieved what everybody said was impossible — at long last, we have peace in the Middle East,” Trump declared during his Monday address. Call it bravado if you must, but the man’s got results to back up the rhetoric.
Yet, amid this diplomatic high, Trump found time to throw punches at Time magazine via Truth Social early Tuesday. “Time Magazine wrote a relatively good story about me, but the picture may be the Worst of All Time,” he posted on the platform.
Describing the cover shot -- taken from below, highlighting his right ear and cheek -- Trump didn’t hold back on Truth Social. It’s no secret he’s been particular about imagery, recalling a 2015 TIME shoot with a bald eagle that nearly turned into a feather-flying fiasco.
The magazine’s take? “The deal may become a signature achievement of Trump’s second term, and it could mark a strategic turning point for the Middle East,” Time noted. Fair enough, but apparently, the photo didn’t match the praise in Trump’s view.
Let’s be real -- magazines often angle for shock value over substance, and this cover seems to lean into caricature rather than respect for a leader’s achievement. Trump’s frustration isn’t unwarranted when a historic deal gets overshadowed by a questionable editorial choice.
Still, credit where it’s due: the TIME story acknowledges Trump’s role in a deal that could reshape the region’s future. But why pair a positive piece with a visual that screams parody? It’s the kind of media double-standard conservatives have long grumbled about.
Trump’s track record with TIME isn’t a new story -- he has clinched its "Person of the Year" title twice, in 2016 and 2024. Even so, his recent critique echoes past frustrations, like last month’s jab at the United Nations over technical glitches during a speech.
At the end of the day, Trump’s peace efforts deserve the spotlight over a poorly chosen photo. While progressive media outlets might revel in petty jabs, the release of hostages and a fragile ceasefire are tangible wins for a region desperate for stability. Let’s hope the focus stays on policy, not portraits.
