Ever-controversial tech mogul, Elon Musk, has taken to his own social media platform (X, formally known as Twitter) to issue a warning to none other than Taylor Swift.
The caution came on the back of Swift being crowned Time Magazine's Person of the Year for 2023. This title has prompted Musk to share his own experiences post-award, albeit with a touch of his usual wit (if you can call it that).
Musk, who himself graced the cover of Time as Person of the Year in 2021, wrote to the 12-time Grammy winner on X, saying a simple “congrats” before following it with what feels like a warning: “Some risk of popularity decline after this award. I speak from experience”. This was followed by a playful “lol” at the end to soften the blow.
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His comment, while in jest, suggests a deeper narrative in relation to what can happen to public figures who reach similar heights of recognition.
At the time of his own crowning, Musk was lauded by Edward Felsenthal, then-editor-in-chief and CEO of Time, for his significant impact on “life on Earth, and potentially life off Earth, too”.
However, the subsequent years have not been entirely smooth sailing for the SpaceX and Tesla CEO. Musk has faced numerous controversies, ranging from allegations of antisemitism (which he has called 'bogus') to a turbulent parental rights dispute with his ex-girlfriend Grimes over their three children.
On the flip side, Taylor Swift's rise to fame and recent garnering of Time's Person of the Year seems to be riding a different wave. Since the announcement, the pop superstar has received an outpouring of support, contrasting Musk's post-award trajectory.
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In her interview with Time, Swift presented a more vulnerable side, discussing her relationship, prep for her grandest concert series yet (the Eras tour), and her thoughts on past decisions, including the infamous and "manufactured" feud with Kim Kardashian.
However, not everyone is happy about Swift's glossy appearance - although the anger isn't so much at Swift, but more at Time magazine itself.
Many have taken to social media platforms, such as Instagram, to critique the publication for choosing a pop star over those who have perhaps shown bravery and humanitarian efforts during times of crisis. Especially since last year’s cover was that of the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, as a statement on the ongoing war happening in the country.
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One wrote: “Big Taylor Swift fan and she's absolutely had one of the biggest years of her entire career but hey actually maybe there are ongoing world events that could've been highlighted with this piece."