President Donald Trump’s new TIME magazine cover is drawing major attention—not just for its bold imagery, but for what many are calling a striking resemblance to one of history’s most haunting photographs.
Unveiled online ahead of its print release, the cover shows President Trump, 79, sitting behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, leaning forward into the camera with a commanding stare. The headline, in large bold letters, reads: “TRUMP’S WORLD.”
The photo, taken by Washington-based photographer Stephen Voss, captures the President in a posture that radiates control and confidence. Yet it’s the visual tone of the image that’s raising eyebrows. According to a report by The Daily Beast, the composition appears to draw heavy inspiration from a 1963 portrait of Alfried Krupp, the German industrialist and convicted Nazi war criminal, shot by legendary photographer Arnold Newman.
Newman’s famous image of Krupp, published by Newsweek at the time, became one of the most psychologically charged portraits ever taken. The businessman was photographed leaning forward with his hands clasped, his face lit from below in a way that gave him an almost sinister aura.
When questioned about the similarities, Voss appeared to acknowledge the reference by “liking” several comments on Instagram asking if his TIME cover intentionally mirrored Newman’s work.
The TIME portrait comes as the magazine’s billionaire owner, Marc Benioff, has publicly expressed admiration for Trump’s leadership—especially his recent decision to deploy National Guard troops to San Francisco. “We’re short on police officers,” Benioff said. “If the National Guard can help fill that gap, I fully support it.”
This isn’t Trump’s first controversial TIME cover. Earlier this month, the President criticized another photo that he claimed made his neck appear unflattering. “TIME Magazine wrote a good story about me, but the picture may be the worst of all time,” he said on Truth Social. The new image, however, seems designed to project strength and control—qualities Trump has long emphasized throughout his presidency.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung applauded the new cover, stating, “President Trump achieved a landmark peace deal in the Middle East, and TIME chose to honor that success with this feature and portrait. This is his 48th appearance on TIME’s cover, putting him well on his way to setting a new record.”
Meanwhile, TIME has denied any intentional nod to the Nazi-era photograph. A spokesperson said: “There is no connection, and claims suggesting otherwise are entirely false. The inspiration came from traditional Oval Office portraits, including past TIME covers.”
Still, the photo’s stark lighting and dramatic tone continue to fuel speculation. Whether meant as homage or coincidence, one thing is certain—TIME’s new Trump cover has once again become the center of political and artistic debate.
At its core, the portrait reflects Trump’s enduring relationship with media power and public perception—a relationship that, much like his presidency, never fails to capture the world’s attention.
Sources: Daily Beast
