A recent Salon column by Amanda Marcotte takes a sharp jab at the aesthetics surrounding President Donald Trump and his inner circle, suggesting that the outlandish, heavily altered appearances of his allies are not merely personal choices — but acts of devotion.
“The reality TV host has always embraced an aesthetic that is as hideous as it is expensive, from gold-plated everything to his vile haircut to his ill-fitted suits,” Marcotte wrote, arguing that Trump’s taste for the ostentatious and bizarre has only intensified since his first presidential campaign. “It’s only grown worse in the decade since he first ran for president, as both the leader and followers compete to inject as much unsightliness as possible into the American field of vision.”
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According to Marcotte, this trend extends far beyond Trump himself, reaching into the cosmetic choices of those close to him — including political allies and family members. She described a uniform look among MAGA loyalists: overdone makeup, heavy cosmetic surgery, and a distinctly artificial appearance.
She referred to what she called the “Mar-a-Lago face,” shaped by “aggressive plastic surgery, fake tan, and make-up spackled on so thick that it would crack — if the fillers hadn’t already paralyzed their faces.” Names like Kristi Noem, Lara Trump, Kimberly Guilfoyle, Matt Gaetz, and Melania Trump were among those cited as embodying this exaggerated look.
Marcotte cited Barnard College professor Anne Higonnet’s interpretation of this style as a type of political performance. “I agree with Barnard professor Anne Higonnet, who told Mother Jones it’s ‘a sign of physical submission to Donald Trump,’” she wrote. “After all, the look requires doing everything wrong, in a way so thorough that self-abasement seems a big part of the point.”
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In her view, these aesthetic choices serve multiple functions: pleasing Trump, drawing media attention, and provoking critics. “As a bonus, the weirdness ‘triggers’ the liberals, which is the goal above all others in Trumpland,” she wrote.
Marcotte concluded by suggesting the look reflects something deeper about the MAGA movement. “The hyperreality of the MAGA aesthetic is about power,” she stated. “Unable to create good or beautiful things, they express dominance by turning everything ugly.”
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