Elon Musk Criticizes Ukrainian President Zelensky Over 2022 Vogue Photoshoot Amid War

Washington: Tesla CEO and senior White House advisor Elon Musk has reignited controversy by criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for participating in a 2022 Vogue photoshoot while Ukraine was embroiled in war with Russia.

Responding to a post on X featuring the Vogue cover, Musk expressed his disapproval, stating, "He did this while kids are dying in trenches on the war front." The photoshoot, conducted by renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz, featured Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska and was part of a feature titled "Portrait of Bravery: Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska." The piece aimed to highlight the resilience and determination of Ukrainians during the war but was met with criticism for its timing and optics.

This is not the first time Zelensky has faced backlash over the shoot. U.S. Republican lawmakers, including Congresswomen Lauren Boebert and Mayra Flores, previously condemned the move, questioning its appropriateness given the billions of dollars in American aid sent to Ukraine.

"While we send Ukraine $60 billion in aid, Zelensky is doing photoshoots for Vogue. These people think we are nothing but a bunch of suckers," Boebert wrote on X. Flores added, "Biden wants to continue sending billions in foreign aid to Ukraine while the Zelensky family graces the cover of Vogue."

However, not all reactions were negative. Tami Erwin, a Verizon executive, praised the profile, calling it "outstanding," while pro-Ukrainian activist Val Voschevska defended the shoot, arguing that Zelenska’s demeanor in the images was relatable and humanizing. "She looks like any of us after a long day at the office—the only difference is that her job is protecting her country from war," Voschevska noted.

Zelensky has since addressed the controversy in an interview with Wired, defending his use of media as a means to convey Ukraine’s message. "If you want people to perceive you as you are, you must use what people use," he explained. In the original Vogue interview, Olena Zelenska also emphasized the hardships faced by Ukrainians, stating, "These have been the most horrible months of my life and the lives of every Ukrainian."

The renewed debate over the photoshoot comes at a critical geopolitical moment, with North Korea strengthening ties with Russia and former U.S. President Donald Trump signaling a shift in U.S. support for Ukraine.