Billionaire Elon Musk, popular for his unfiltered presence on his social media platform X, had an enthusiastic reaction to a meme shared by US President-elect Donald Trump celebrating his designation as Time magazine’s 2024 Person of the Year.
The meme, posted by Trump on his Truth Social account, showcased his political journey with the classic format “how it started” versus “how it’s going.”
The “how it started” image featured Trump in his infamous Fulton County mug shot, captioned “how it started” and “how it’s going.”, while “how it’s going” displayed the recent Time magazine cover celebrating his historic comeback to the presidency.
Musk shared the meme on X with his own caption: “Haha amazing.”
The post quickly gained traction, with Musk’s endorsement amplifying the meme’s reach to his millions of followers.
The former president’s meme also highlights the dramatic arc of his political career.
The first image, his mug shot from August 24, 2023, represents a low point, captured as he faced racketeering charges in Georgia. This booking photo—grim, defiant, and intensely polarizing—became an unexpected symbol of his resilience among his supporters. The mug shot went viral almost instantly, with Trump’s campaign capitalising on it by printing it on merchandise minting millions of dollars in a matter of days.
The second image in the meme, his Time magazine cover, reflects Trump’s redemption narrative. In naming Trump its Person of the Year for 2024, Time praised his historic political comeback, which saw him overcome legal challenges, political rivals, and even an assassination attempt to secure a second term as president. The magazine described Trump as “the individual who did the most to shape the world and headlines over the past 12 months.”
The Time cover story, published earlier this week, detailed Trump’s journey from his shocking victory in 2016 to his chaotic first term, his loss in 2020, and his unprecedented return to the Oval Office after the 2024 election. It emphasized the transformation of American politics under his influence, dubbing the era the “Age of Trump.”
Musk’s reaction to Trump’s post definitely indicates the growing synergy between two of the world’s most influential figures. Both Trump and Musk are seen as disruptors in their respective fields, challenging established norms and appealing to a populist base.
Musk, who has openly shared his views on freedom of speech and government efficiency, has often found common ground with Trump’s unapologetic style and policies.
The Time cover story credited Trump with driving “a once-in-a-generation political realignment” and reshaping both the presidency and America’s global role. The magazine’s editors noted how his recent election victory came amidst rising global populism, economic frustration, and scepticism of traditional institutions.
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