Eight years ago, they toppled Ban Nong. Is Time magazine using the same old tricks again?

Eight years later, TIME once again provokes the sensitive nerves of U.S. President Donald Trump.

On the cover of the latest issue of TIME magazine, Elon Musk is seated behind the "Resolute Desk," a symbol of the supreme power of the U.S. presidency, holding a coffee cup, with the American flag and the presidential flag in the background.

This legendary biweekly magazine is known for its epoch-making cover designs, especially against the backdrop of Musk's increasingly powerful influence—Trump has given Musk control of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has recently intervened in the core payment systems of the U.S. government.

Such a bold cover not only attracts public attention but may also make Trump feel uneasy. A new power diagonal is forming between the Oval Office and the Twitter board.

Looking back to 2017, Trump's former advisor Steve Bannon also graced the cover of TIME magazine, becoming the "Great Manipulator." However, this glory did not bring Bannon a lasting political career; instead, he faced a loss of power in the summer and ultimately severed ties with Trump publicly in 2018.

Musk's "Joyous Cover," TIME Stirs the Pot?

Reflecting on 2017, Trump's former advisor Steve Bannon appeared on the cover as the "Great Manipulator."

However, this glory did not bring Bannon a lasting political career; instead, he faced a loss of power in the summer and ultimately severed ties with Trump publicly in 2018.

According to multiple media reports, Bannon's departure was influenced by the following factors:

Conflicts with Trump and his family: Bannon had a tense relationship with Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and daughter Ivanka Trump, who were seen as "globalists," while Bannon insisted on "economic nationalism."

Impact of the Charlottesville incident: In August 2017, a violent clash occurred between white supremacists and opponents in Charlottesville, Virginia. Bannon was perceived to have close ties with far-right forces, which put immense public pressure on the Trump administration.

Kelly's adjustments: Then-White House Chief of Staff John Kelly attempted to restore order in the White House, weakening Bannon's influence, which ultimately led to his departure.

This is seen as a power earthquake triggered by the cover, reflecting Trump's desire for control over power and revealing his vulnerability in the face of competition and pressure.

As time goes by, it seems that history is repeating itself. This time, Musk's "cover debut" is being heavily promoted by Time magazine, emphasizing his significant role in economic and technological innovation:

"On one side is an institution with a 64-year history and a $35 billion budget, whose mission is enshrined in federal law; on the other side is Musk's political 'demolition team'... Musk— the richest person in the world, is authorized to dismantle large parts of the federal bureaucracy—cutting budgets, weakening the civil service, and stripping independent agencies of their ability to obstruct presidential goals."

This is not Musk's first appearance on the cover of Time magazine. Previously, he appeared on the cover as "Citizen Musk," portrayed as a key figure in American politics.

Musk: "I love Trump like a straight man loves his brother"

Just hours after the cover was released, Musk wrote on the X platform "I love Trump like a straight man loves his brother," seemingly indicating his desire to maintain a good relationship with Trump.

According to a report by The New York Times on the 7th, during a recent meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Trump was asked by reporters about his thoughts on the new Time magazine cover. The image of Musk sitting at the "Resolute Desk" caused Trump to look down at the floor for several seconds—an epic moment of silence for someone who is used to being in the spotlight.

He briefly answered "no," while looking at the floor, and then half-jokingly said:

"Is Time magazine still in business? I didn't even know."

The report stated that this remark elicited laughter from the audience, but the atmosphere was somewhat awkward.

Does Trump really not know that Time is still in business? In fact, Trump's attention to Time magazine has a long history.

His obsession with magazine covers is a classic case study in American political and business circles. Since the 1980s, the Time cover has become an important benchmark for Trump to measure success.

In 2015, Trump complained about not receiving this honor, while he expressed joy when he received it in 2016 and 2024. He even hung a homemade cover in his private club to satisfy his collecting obsession.

Just two months ago, Trump proudly appeared on the magazine cover as "Person of the Year." He personally went to the New York Stock Exchange to ring the opening bell to commemorate this moment.

Today, Musk's "occupying the nest" is no different from challenging the symbolic areas that the president cares about most.

The Rocky Road of Musk and Trump's Friendship

Looking back, the "friendship road" between Musk and Trump is complex and rocky.

In 2016, Musk publicly stated that Trump was unsuitable for public office, saying he "seems to lack the character that reflects America well." However, just a month later, Trump appointed Musk to his advisory council.

Musk later resigned due to Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, stating, "Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world." This again highlighted the differences between the two on certain important issues.

In 2020, Trump referred to Musk as a "genius," laying the groundwork for an improvement in their relationship. In 2022, although Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Musk's acquisition of Twitter, Musk seemed to have forgiven Trump's remarks. He restored Trump's Twitter account, which had been banned since the U.S. Capitol riot, showing a gesture of reconciliation.

In 2024, since the U.S. presidential election, Musk has invested a significant amount of money in Trump's presidential campaign. U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders revealed that Musk spent $277 million supporting Trump for president.

This "office power struggle" resembles a miniature model of the contemporary American power structure: as tech newcomers share the spotlight with traditional politicians, we see Musk's real collaboration in transporting NASA astronauts with rockets, while also witnessing Trump's digital game of reconstructing the public opinion battlefield on the Truth Social platform.

A new diagonal of power is forming between the Oval Office and the Twitter board.