Time magazine’s latest print cover has sparked controversy by featuring tech mogul Elon Musk seated at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office. The cover, which shows Musk holding a coffee cup with the American and presidential flags in the background, has drawn a sharp reaction from U.S. President Donald Trump, who quipped, "Is Time magazine still in business?"

Accompanying the cover is a feature story titled "Inside Elon Musk's War on Washington," published on Friday. The article delves into Musk’s role in reshaping federal operations since Trump’s inauguration on January 20. As head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk has been spearheading efforts to streamline bureaucracy, a move that has generated significant debate.

His initiatives include proposals to dismantle agencies such as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Department of Education. The article, authored by Simon Schuster and Brian Bennett, highlights how these reforms have put millions of government employees in a precarious position, stating that Musk “appears accountable to no one but President Trump.” When Time sought comments from DOGE, they were redirected to the White House, which declined to respond.

Responding to the magazine’s depiction of Musk, Trump remarked, "I didn’t even know that [Time magazine] was still around."

This marks Musk’s second appearance on the magazine’s cover, following his feature as "Citizen Musk" in November of the previous year. That edition cast him as a political influencer, underscoring his impact on Trump’s presidential campaign and his role as a "kingmaker" in the November 5 election, where Trump defeated Democratic contender Kamala Harris.

Trump himself has been featured on Time’s cover multiple times, including twice as "Person of the Year." However, he previously made headlines for displaying a fabricated Time magazine cover that lauded his reality TV show, 'The Apprentice.'

Speculation has also arisen regarding Musk’s growing influence in Trump’s administration. While some within the Republican and Democratic parties have questioned his level of authority, Trump’s team has consistently denied that Musk holds any undue power. In December, the president dismissed rumors that Musk could assume the presidency, citing constitutional requirements that mandate a candidate be a natural-born U.S. citizen.