In the beginning of the 1980s, while I was employed at Time magazine, I purchased a novelty frame from the company’s gift shop. This frame faithfully imitated the design of Time’s annual ‘Man of the Year’ cover, although it was humorously renamed ‘Mother of the Year’. I slotted in a photograph of my mother, elegantly clad in a business suit, cradling me as an infant before gifting it to her on Mother’s Day, in jest.
However, for Donald Trump, a man whose office in Trump Tower functioned as an endless reflection of his multiple magazine appearances, the traditional Time accolade was always perceived gravely. He did not hesitate to express his dissatisfaction when the title was altered in 1999. In 2016, at a gathering of female supporters, he openly queried, “Which title has a better ring, Person of the Year or Man of the Year?”
When in 2015, Angela Merkel was honoured with the ‘Person of the Year’, he expressed his resentment. “They chose someone who is causing Germany’s downfall,” he lamented on social media. Despite Time magazine’s diminished standing, Trump rejoiced when he was eventually awarded ‘Person of the Year’ in 2016. Regarding the statement, “President of the Divided States of America”, presented on the cover, he confidently asserted that the nation would be “comprehensively restored” under his administration.
Disappointingly, he turned out to be just a disappointment.
David Fahrenthold, in 2017 in The Washington Post, revealed that the mounted copies of Time magazine featuring Trump, which were found in a minimum of five of Trump’s golf resorts spreading from Florida to Scotland, were counterfeit. Even the finishings of the counterfeit covers differed; the red border was narrower than the original. My spoof ‘Mother of the Year’ frame had even managed to get that detail correct.
Though Time’s reputation and influence are no longer the same, Trump, stuck in his media-centric past, was elated to re-emerge on the cover just last week.
He delivered energetic performances at rallies in Wisconsin and Michigan last Wednesday, adopting a jovial and charming manner to defuse Democratic allegations of his dictatorship ambitions. It provides an interesting backdrop, reading the new Time cover story during this absurd time when Trump oscillates between a disgruntled, fatigued defendant in a criminal proceeding in a city where he was once influential, and a self-assured ex-president, rallying to reclaim the presidency and leading in numerous surveys.
The various personas of Trump form an intriguing three-part portrait: The trial reflects Trump’s past; his campaign rallies embody his present persona; and his Time interview hints at his future ambitions.
The trial offers a striking glimpse into Trump’s past life when he reveled in a universe filled with adult entertainers and Playboy models, basking in his city-wide fame as a larger-than-life caricature delivered through ceaseless tabloid stories.
Testimony was given on Thursday by Keith Davidson, the lawyer responsible for orchestrating payments for Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal’s narratives for The National Enquirer, the publication that subsequently buried those stories. His testimony revealed the lurid world surrounding Trump, including exploits with a broker who dealt in compromising material and liaised with notable figures such as Tila Tequila and Charlie Sheen, amongst others.
In court, Trump maintains a severe disposition, sporting a hardened glare for his mugshot. However, his social media persona is often lighthearted, even if it’s controversial, as seen in: “Contrary to the FAKE NEWS MEDIA, I don’t fall asleep during the Crooked DA’s Witch Hunt, especially not today. I simply close my beautiful blue eyes, sometimes, listen intensely, and take it ALL in!!!” His Friday post of a meme suggesting a unique solution for border security – a group of alligators – further illustrates this.
At campaign rallies in Wisconsin and Michigan, Trump presents a vivacious performance, countering Democratic assertions of his potential dictatorial aspirations with humour and affability. In Waukesha, Wisconsin, he spoke about his love for chicken, despite its increasing price, and then amusingly proceeded to introduce a vegan restaurant owner from the crowd. However, he playfully butchered the pronunciation of the word “vegan” and confessed his preference for non-vegan food.
Despite the jovial persona Trump showcases at his rallies and fun-filled social media posts, there are also moments that uncover a darker, less humane character.
In Time’s recent feature “If He Wins,” Eric Cortellessa reveals Trump’s comments on the lengths he might go to if elected.
Trump has presented an image of a monarchical presidency, promising no interferers if he regains power. His unwavering followers will have his back, ensuring no resistance to his autocratic madness. Gone will be the days of secret resistance by official aids seeking to preserve the nation.
In an interview with Time, Trump made clear that during his potential next term he will work towards deporting over 11 million immigrants and will utilise the military and detention centres to do so. He also harbours intentions to transform America into a reflection of Margaret Atwood’s world, allowing conservative states to regulate women’s pregnancies and penalise any contraventions. Reports suggest he is considering giving amnesty to the insurrectionists involved in the Capitol breach on January 6th and he might dismiss any state attorney who doesn’t act as his yesman.
We have been exposed to his contentious side during trials as well as his congenial persona during campaigns. Yet, it is his prophetic imagination of the coming years that is most significant as it depicts an ominous and catastrophic future for America.
This piece was originally published by The New York Times.
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