TIME Magazine honored Taylor Swift as the Person of the Year, drawing a sarcastic response from Elon Musk on Twitter, which garnered mixed reactions.
Musk’s congratulatory tweet on X (formerly Twitter) hinted at potential popularity risks after receiving the award, triggering swift responses from Twitter users.
.@samlansky has such a wondrous way with words, and I’ve loved reading his pieces for over a decade. If you’ve ever been around him, you know he’s just the best type of person: Curious. Interested. Hilarious. Intriguing and intrigued. I have tRuSt iSSueS when it comes to… pic.twitter.com/kAgIIcPI1f
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) December 6, 2023
Critics pointed out that Taylor Swift earned her success without exploiting mine workers, and Musk’s unnecessary commentary was met with disapproval. Some suggested Musk should have simply congratulated Swift without injecting his opinion.
One tweet questioned Musk’s attempt to make everything about himself, while another deemed his last tweet as unnecessary. The controversy also led to queries about Musk’s previous recognition as TIME’s Person of the Year in 2021.
Meanwhile, Swift shared her gratitude for the feature, emphasizing the positive aspects of the interview and expressing appreciation for mentions from notable figures. She reflected on the year, acknowledging the support from fans and the diverse influences shaping her journey.
Earlier, some of Musk’s supporters had criticized Swift’s Person of the Year title, attributing it to her relationship with American football player Travis Kelce and downplaying her accomplishments, such as the record-breaking Eras Tour that significantly impacted the economies of the cities she visited in 2023.