Musk, the head of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency and a close Trump ally, is depicted on the cover smiling while holding a cup of coffee. Behind him stand the American and presidential flags, all set against a bold red backdrop.
The cover accompanies a feature article titled “Inside Elon Musk’s War on Washington,” written by Simon Shuster and Brian Bennett. The article explores Musk’s expansive role in the Trump administration, detailing his aggressive efforts to slash government spending, reduce the federal workforce, and restructure federal programs—efforts that have largely remained secretive.
When asked about the cover at the White House on Friday, Trump downplayed its significance and took a jab at the publication, despite being named Time’s 2024 Person of the Year.
“Is Time Magazine still in business? I didn’t even know that,” Trump quipped in a video posted to social media.
While dismissive of the magazine, Trump praised Musk’s work, saying, “He’s doing a great job finding tremendous fraud, corruption, and waste.”
The profile highlights Musk’s unchecked influence over the administration, noting that “so far, Musk appears accountable to no one but President Trump, who handed his campaign benefactor a sweeping mandate to bring the government in line with his agenda.”
Musk’s drastic cost-cutting measures and restructuring of federal programs continue to generate both intrigue and controversy, as the billionaire businessman exerts unprecedented influence over Washington’s inner workings.
