Trump’s relationship with TIME Magazine has always been fraught with tension, admiration, and rivalry. He has appeared on the cover multiple times since his first feature in 1989 and was twice named Person of the Year. Yet, his interactions with the publication have often been colored by public feuds.
In 2015, he criticized the magazine for overlooking him as Person of the Year, and in later years, dismissed its 100 Most Influential People list as a “joke.” Despite these clashes, he has long understood the cultural significance of a TIME cover—a symbol of influence that few political figures can ignore.
That context makes his reaction unsurprising. For Trump, image has always been inseparable from identity. The photograph, taken from below and lit harshly against the midday sky, appeared to flatten the familiar sweep of his blond hair—one of his most recognizable features and a frequent topic of public curiosity.
The Hair Debate That Never Ends
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