Tech billionaire Elon Musk on Thursday slammed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for posing in a Vogue photoshoot three years ago while the country was at war.
Musk took to X and responded to a post about the 2022 feature, commenting, “He did this while kids are dying in trenches on the war front.”
The photo shoot featured Zelensky and first lady Olena Zelenska, which was widely debated at the time. The photograph was captured by Annie Leibovitz. The piece was titled ‘Portrait of Bravery: Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska’, focused primarily on Zelenska but included images of the couple together inside their compound at Mariinsky Palace. One image showed her beside the wreckage of the Antonov AN-225, the world’s largest cargo plane, destroyed by Russian forces.
The feature sparked strong reactions, particularly among conservative commentators in the US. Critics, including Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert, questioned the optics of the photoshoot while Ukraine was receiving billions in American aid. “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 posted.
Texas Congresswoman Mayra Flores also criticised the move, writing, “Biden: Let’s continue to send billions of dollars in foreign aid to Ukraine, they need it! Reality: The Zelensky family graces us with a photo shoot to be on the cover of Vogue magazine.” Conservative activist Scott Presler added, “Why did we send $54 billion to Ukraine, so Zelensky & his wife could pose for Vogue? You’re at war & you’ve got time for photo shoots?”
Despite the backlash, the photoshoot had its defenders. Verizon executive Tami Erwin praised the piece, calling it “an outstanding profile.” Pro-Ukrainian activist Val Voschevska analysed the images, saying, “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.”
Zelenska addressed the struggles faced during the war, telling Vogue, “These have been the most horrible months of my life, and the lives of every Ukrainian.” She added, “We’re looking forward to victory. We have no doubt we will prevail. And this is what keeps us going.”
Zelensky later appeared on Wired magazine’s cover and defended his use of media, stating, “If you want people to perceive you as you are, you must use what people use.”
Musk’s reaction, coming years later, has reignited debate over the wartime photoshoot at a time when Ukraine faces mounting challenges. The conflict has intensified with North Korea joining forces with Russia, and US President Donald Trump unexpectedly distancing himself from Ukraine, blaming Joe Biden for escalating the war.