“Trump Slams Time Magazine’s ‘Super Bad’ Cover: Why It’s the Worst of All Time”

Donald Trump recently criticized his appearance on the cover of Time magazine. He called the photo taken from below, with the sun behind his head, “the Worst of All Time.” This reaction came shortly after the magazine featured him in a story about his role in brokering a ceasefire in Gaza.

Trump took to Truth Social to express his disappointment. He felt the picture distorted his hair and claimed it looked like a floating crown. He has often expressed a desire to appear on magazine covers and acknowledged doing so four times in the past year alone.

The photo was captured by Graeme Sloane at the White House on October 5. Its angle wasn’t flattering, as it highlighted aspects of Trump’s chin and neck. California Governor Gavin Newsom took a jab at Trump, sharing a pixelated version of the image. The tweet quickly went viral, sparking conversations about media representation.

Interestingly, Trump’s defense came from an unexpected source: Maria Zakharova, Russia’s director of information. She criticized the choice of the photo, suggesting it reflected poorly on those who selected it. Zakharova pointed out that Time often features flattering images of other leaders, including President Biden.

Photographer Carly Earl weighed in on the discussion. She suggested that the image aimed to portray Trump as heroic. Despite not being flattering, the angle was meant to emphasize power. Earl explained that Trump’s hair appeared less defined due to overexposure from the sunlight, creating a halo effect. She noted, “While the conceptual elements were strong, the aesthetics were not.”

Trump’s reaction taps into broader discussions about how public figures are photographed and the impact of these choices on their image. Many leaders have dealt with unflattering portrayals, sparking debates about media bias and representation. With the rise of social media, user reactions can quickly shift public perception, making the conversation around images and narratives even more dynamic.

For further insights on media representation, you can explore the Pew Research Center’s findings on how image portrayal affects public opinion (Pew Research Center).

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