JD Vance's Eyeliner Rumors Won't Die — Here's Why
JD Vance listens to President Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine, February, 2025, in the West Wing Lobby. Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok. Public domain.
It wasn't the policies, the shouting, or the potential international fallout. No, the biggest question after the heated White House exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was, "Is JD Vance wearing eyeliner?"
JD Vance, 2023. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Colin Simpson. Public domain.
Social media users couldn't focus on the Vice President's talking points. All eyes were on his eyes — and the thick, dark lashes that looked outlined like a Broadway stage performer's.
Some cracked jokes, and others rushed to his defense. But behind the smirks and memes lies a deeper, oddly political conversation about appearance, gender, and the performance of power — one that's been brewing on politicians' faces, male and female alike, for years.
JD Vance and the "Guyliner" Discourse
The scrutiny started in earnest during the 2024 Vice Presidential debate. Then, it intensified after a dual Trump-Vance Fox News interview. And finally, it boiled over in the aftermath of the contentious exchange about Ukrainian aid: viewers were simply fixated on what looked like carefully applied eyeliner on Vance's face.
The comments on social media flooded in:
Still, not everyone is convinced Vance actually does wear eyeliner. When asked for their thoughts, celebrity makeup artists responded with mixed opinions. Some suggested a lash tint or camera lighting might be responsible for the eyeliner appearance. Others, like beauty app CEO Kimberly Carney, seem sure that Vance's appearance is natural: "It's almost like he's mastered the art of that subtle, smoky eye," she said in a statement to Slate.
Others denied the eyeliner claims more emphatically:
Regardless of which side is right, the pressing question for many readers might be, "Who cares if he wears eyeliner?" Yet this debate is part of a much broader conversation. To truly understand why Vance's eyes became a political flashpoint, one needs to look at the aesthetics in conservative politicians and media figures.
The Rise of the 'Conservative Makeup' Look
As far back as the 2019 release of the film "Bombshell," a biopic about the Fox News sexual harassment scandal, critics noticed a certain uniformity among right-leaning media personalities: heavy foundation, fake tan, thick eyeliner, and teased hair. TikTok users have since turned this into a viral parody called "Republican makeup" or "MAGA makeup."
According to the parody accounts, the "Republican makeup" look involves mismatched foundation, clumpy mascara, and exaggerated eyeliner. At the same time, others see the makeup trend as a source of strength — a kind of hyperfeminine armor worn on camera and online.
Moreover, the conservative makeup trend might also apply to men. Some observers note that conservative men often adopt similarly curated appearances, including sharp suits, glossy skin, and a photo-ready lash line. A few even take it a step further and argue that these men are subtly emulating President Donald Trump in appearance.
These "MAGA Styles" must also be compared to the frumpy style of self-described Democratic Socialist Bernie Sanders or the Sunday barbeque style of Democratic Senator John Fetterman.
Is Eyeliner the Smart Political Move?
The reality of modern U.S. politics is that it's all about the screen: whether a politician is on television or social media, image counts a lot. So, politicians wearing makeup for media appearances is far from unheard of.
Political figures are often powdered before camera appearances to reduce shine. Some strategists say male politicians increasingly lean into subtle enhancements — lash tints, brow shaping, even tinted moisturizers — to look more "awake" on screen.
In that sense, even if JD Vance isn't applying liner, he's benefiting from a look that's very much in vogue among media personalities: sharply defined, camera-ready, and heavily scrutinized. Additionally, some fashion and makeup experts say makeup could be part of a broader political message emphasizing order, control, and curated masculinity.
The Last Word on Lashes
Will JD Vance ever admit to eyeliner? Probably not. But as long as his lashes remain a topic of national conversation, the speculation is here to stay. The debate says less about his grooming habits and more about the public's fixation on image — and how even a lash line can spark a cultural firestorm.
References: What is 'conservative girl' makeup, and am I accidentally wearing it? | But Really, Is JD Vance Wearing Eyeliner? | JD Vance's 'eyeliner' steals the spotlight | Is J.D. Vance Wearing Eyeliner? | JD Vance eyeliner accusations are back | All About The 'Republican Makeup' Trend
