BREAKING: TIME Magazine Crowns Elon Musk as ‘Person of the Year’ 2025 for His Groundbreaking Innovations and Global Influence, Igniting Worldwide Debate
At 9:55 AM +07 on May 10, 2025, TIME Magazine dropped a bombshell that has set the internet ablaze: Elon Musk, the polarizing billionaire behind Tesla, SpaceX, and X, has been named its 2025 ‘Person of the Year.’ The announcement, which recognizes Musk’s “groundbreaking innovations and global influence,” marks his second time receiving the honor, following his 2021 win. As of 6:11 PM +07 on May 11, 2025, the news has sparked a firestorm of reactions, with fans hailing his visionary leadership and critics questioning the choice amidst his controversial political and environmental footprint. Musk’s latest accolade underscores his undeniable impact on technology, space exploration, and global politics, but it also reignites debates about the role of billionaires in shaping our world.
TIME’s decision comes as Musk, now 53, continues to dominate headlines with his ambitious ventures. The magazine lauded his relentless drive, citing Tesla’s role in mainstreaming electric vehicles, SpaceX’s reusable rockets slashing space travel costs, and Starlink’s expansion of internet access to remote corners of the globe. “Person of the Year is a marker of influence, and few individuals have had more influence than Musk on life on Earth, and potentially life off Earth too,” TIME editor-in-chief Edward Felsenthal wrote, echoing his 2021 statement. Since then, Musk’s influence has only grown. As of March 2025, Forbes estimates his net worth at $345 billion, making him the world’s richest person, a title he’s held since 2021. His recent political clout, including a stint as a senior advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump and de facto head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) until April 30, 2025, has further cemented his global reach.
Musk’s 2025 recognition highlights his technological triumphs. SpaceX’s Starship program, which aims to colonize Mars, has made significant strides, with NASA contracting the company to deliver astronauts to the lunar surface as early as this year. Tesla, now valued at over $1 trillion, has pushed legacy automakers to pivot to electric vehicles, a shift Musk pioneered. Starlink, with thousands of satellites in orbit, has connected rural communities but also drawn ire for interfering with astronomical observations. Meanwhile, Musk’s ventures like Neuralink, exploring brain-computer interfaces, and xAI, advancing artificial intelligence, signal his unrelenting quest to redefine humanity’s future. On X, fans celebrated with hashtags like #MuskPOY2025, one user posting, “Elon is a genius who’s saving the planet and taking us to Mars—deserved!”
Yet, the announcement has not been without controversy. Critics on X and beyond argue that Musk’s influence isn’t wholly positive. His tenure at DOGE, where he oversaw mass layoffs of federal workers, drew sharp criticism for destabilizing government operations. Environmentalists point to the irony of honoring Musk while Tesla and SpaceX contribute to significant carbon emissions—private jet flights alone, like those on his Gulfstream G650ER, emit thousands of kilograms of CO2 per trip. Others highlight his political actions, including his $290 million contribution to Trump’s 2024 campaign and support for far-right European leaders like Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, which some say amplifies divisive narratives. “Musk’s innovations come at a cost—environmental damage and political meddling shouldn’t be ignored,” a critic tweeted.
Musk’s polarizing persona adds fuel to the debate. Described by TIME in 2021 as a “clown, genius, edgelord, visionary, industrialist, showman,” he remains a lightning rod. His X posts, often made “on a porcelain throne” as he once admitted, have roiled markets and drawn SEC lawsuits, including a January 2025 case over securities violations tied to his 2022 Twitter purchase. His far-right political stances, criticized by leaders like France’s Emmanuel Macron, contrast with his earlier support for progressive ideas like universal basic income. This duality—innovator versus disruptor—makes Musk a fitting, if contentious, choice for TIME’s honor, which recognizes influence “for good or ill.”
As the world digests this news, Musk’s trajectory remains a paradox. His innovations have undeniably reshaped industries and inspired millions, yet his methods and motives raise questions about unchecked power. Will his vision for a multiplanetary future and sustainable Earth come to fruition, or will his controversies overshadow his achievements? For now, Musk stands at the center of the global stage, a man whose influence—whether celebrated or contested—cannot be ignored. TIME’s 2025 ‘Person of the Year’ pick ensures that the conversation around Elon Musk will only grow louder.
