WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump unleashed a tirade against Time magazine Tuesday, branding its latest cover photo of him “the Worst of All Time” even as the publication hailed his role in the Gaza ceasefire as a potential “signature achievement.” The outburst, posted on Truth Social at 3:17 a.m., targeted the unflattering low-angle shot featuring Trump’s stern expression against a bright sky, which he accused of “disappearing” his hair and adding a “floating crown” atop his head.
Time’s November 10 issue, titled “His Triumph,” devotes its cover story to Trump’s 20-point peace plan, crediting his “juggernaut diplomacy” for securing Hamas’s release of all 48 remaining Israeli hostages last week. Correspondent Eric Cortellessa described the deal—brokered in Cairo and Doha—as a “strategic turning point for the Middle East,” noting how Trump’s pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Arab mediators overcame a September airstrike setback. The plan’s phase one, executed October 13, included Israel’s partial withdrawal from northern Gaza and the release of 2,000 Palestinian detainees, averting famine and earning rare bipartisan nods, including from Hillary Clinton.
Yet Trump fixated on the image, taken outdoors in harsh sunlight that highlighted his neck and wispy hair. “Time Magazine wrote a relatively good story about me, but the picture may be the Worst of All Time,” he fumed. “They ‘disappeared’ my hair, and then had something floating on top of my head… Really weird! I never liked taking pictures from underneath angles, but this is a super bad picture, and deserves to be called out.” He suggested deliberate sabotage, questioning why Time “purposefully” chose it despite the praise.
The magazine has not responded to requests for comment, but the cover sparked a social media frenzy. Supporters like Kari Lake decried it as “disrespectful fake news,” while critics mocked Trump’s vanity. Photographer Annie Leibovitz, known for iconic portraits, noted low angles can convey power but distort features in bright light. This isn’t Trump’s first magazine gripe—he slammed a 2017 book cover and 2020 viral photos.
Amid the shutdown’s 17th day and midterm buildup, the spat underscores Trump’s flair for drama: A peacemaker’s triumph, tainted by a pixelated slight. As phase two on disarmament looms, the real question? Will the deal endure, or will the photo steal the spotlight?
