Why Did Donald Trump Criticize His Cover Photo in Time Magazine's "His Triumph" Issue?

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Former United States President Donald Trump has returned to the spotlight after publicly criticizing the cover of Time magazine's November 10, 2025, issue.

The cover, titled "His Triumph," featured a photo of himself that Trump claimed was the "Worst of All Time."

The controversial Time magazine cover appeared alongside a major report praising Donald Trump's role in mediating the Israel-Gaza conflict.

This mediation effort was considered a "strategic turning point" with the potential to significantly change the landscape of the Middle East.

He complained about the low angle of the photo, the lighting that washed out his hair, and the small, crown-like object atop his head.

The living Israeli hostages held in Gaza have been freed under the first phase of Donald Trump's peace plan, alongside a Palestinian prisoner release. The deal may become a signature achievement of Trump's second term, and it could mark a strategic turning point for the Middle… pic.twitter.com/0bZDABIDGj

— TIME (@TIME) October 13, 2025

The Time Magazine cover photo that sparked Donald Trump's ire featured him from an unusual angle.

The photo was taken from a low angle, showing Trump looking upward, with bright sunlight shining behind him.

This lighting created a silhouette effect around his neck and hair, which may have been the reason for Trump's complaint about his hair being "removed."

This low-angle shot is often used to convey a sense of majesty or power to the subject.

However, this interpretation contradicts Trump's own perception, who found the photo unrepresentative and even "bizarre."

Despite the positive content of the article, Donald Trump did not hold back from harshly criticizing the Time Magazine cover photo.

“Time Magazine wrote a relatively good story about me, but the picture may be the Worst of All Time”, Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump stated that her hair was "removed" and that there was something "floating on top of her head that looked like a floating crown, but very small. It was really weird!"Trump also expressed his distaste for the angle of the photo.

He emphasized that he never liked photos taken from a low angle, and called the Time cover photo a "super bad picture."

"What did they do, and why?" Trump said. 

Interestingly, amidst his scathing criticism of the visuals, Trump acknowledged that Time had written "a relatively good story about me."

The cover of Time magazine's November 10, 2025, issue, featuring Donald Trump, is titled "His Triumph," highlighting a significant achievement.

The lead article specifically praises Trump's active role in mediating the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza.

This effort is described as an initiative with significant potential to bring positive change to the Middle East region.

The peace deal brokered by Donald Trump includes the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, as well as the release of approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners from Israel.

Time magazine considered this deal to be a potential "significance of Trump's second term," fulfilling his promise to end the war.

The article also predicted that this deal could usher in a "new era" for the region, one no longer dominated by conflict but instead by the opportunity for transformation and sustainable peace.