JD Vance, a 40-year-old senator and close ally of Donald Trump, is poised to become the next vice president of the United States, becoming the third-youngest individual to hold the office. Interestingly, Vance is also set to become the first vice president in nearly a century to have facial hair, as reported by the New York Post.
The last vice president to sport a mustache was Charles Curtis in 1933, while the last with a full beard like Vance’s was Charles Fairbanks, who served under Theodore Roosevelt from 1905 to 1909. Vance’s distinctive style stands out as he also becomes the first millennial to serve in such a high-ranking office.
Vance, a former critic turned staunch Trump supporter, gained national prominence with his 2016 memoir, Hillbilly Elegy, and was elected to the Senate in 2022. Known for his alignment with Trump’s views on trade, foreign policy, and immigration, Vance’s close association with the former president secured him a place on the ticket.
Rumors had swirled that Vance’s beard might have cost him the vice-presidential nod, but Trump dismissed this speculation, telling Fox News Radio host Brian Kilmeade that he found the look stylish.
“He looks good,” Trump said. “Looks like a young Abraham Lincoln.”
Earlier, body language expert Joe Navarro, a former FBI agent, commented that Vance’s beard could signal assertiveness and, to some, even resistance to feminist ideals.
According to Politico, some voters may view facial hair as a symbol of masculinity—qualities that can evoke perceptions of strength and competence, but may also be seen as overly assertive, particularly by female voters. Studies have shown that beards often elicit mixed reactions, with interpretations varying widely across demographics.
The significance of Vance’s style choice is noteworthy, as he becomes the first vice-president in eight decades to embrace facial hair on the campaign trail.