Officials debunk $4 million claim about U.S. role in Zelensky Time cover

A video circulating widely online falsely claims that the U.S. government paid $4 million to feature Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the cover of Time magazine. The video, styled to resemble a report by the New York Post, has been confirmed as fake.

The footage includes altered graphics and watermarks to mimic the branding of the Post, and alleges that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) financed Zelensky’s appearance as Time’s 2022 Person of the Year. No such report was published by the New York Post, and Time has not indicated that its editorial decisions were influenced by any payment.

The video originated from an account named “Johnny Midnight,” which has gained a following by regularly sharing politically charged content. The false narrative was quickly picked up and reshared across multiple platforms, amplified by users looking to provoke controversy or reinforce existing beliefs.

Media analysts say this type of false content is often crafted with minimal effort—relying on familiar logos, emotionally charged topics, and timely political context to gain traction. In this case, attaching a recognizable name like Time and a high-profile figure such as Zelensky added just enough perceived credibility to mislead viewers.

Analysts also note that if a story of this scale were accurate, it would likely appear across a major outlet’s official channels—not just in a single tweet or video. A quick check of the New York Post‘s website and other verified platforms reveals no such coverage.

This type of false narrative continues to spread because it is easy to produce, emotionally engaging, and often goes unchecked by users who may not take time to verify its authenticity.

Digital literacy advocates recommend simple steps to assess questionable content: look for additional coverage by credible sources, examine the original outlet’s official channels, and be cautious of sensational claims presented without context or supporting evidence.