Pete Buttigieg’s Beard Buzz: The New Face of Politics and Masculinity
When Pete Buttigieg showed up in Iowa this week for his first public event since winning the 2020 Democratic caucuses there, people noticed something immediately different. The once clean-shaven, fresh-faced politician was sporting a dark, scruffy beard. It was a stark makeover that instantly grabbed headlines and stirred chatter about what it could mean for his political future — especially if he runs for president again in 2028.
This new rugged look is more than just a style change. For Buttigieg, it’s a strategic move as he tries to connect with a broader audience, particularly young men who swung toward Trump in the last election. “It was very rare in my former life that I could go more than a day without shaving,” he said recently. Now, embracing a bit of scruff is part of his effort to come across as tougher, more relatable, and maybe even a little more masculine to voters who might have dismissed him before.
The Beard Boom in Politics: A Sign of the Times
Beards haven’t just popped up on Buttigieg—they’re part of a growing trend sweeping through the political world. After a rough 2022 midterm election for Democrats, many party officials realized they needed to appeal more to apolitical men under 30. That’s a demographic that’s been drifting away, especially to Trump’s camp.
Podcasts, sports radio, and right-leaning media, traditionally dominated by men with a particular taste for ruggedness, have become key battlegrounds. And interestingly, facial hair—once considered old-fashioned in politics—has made a massive comeback, especially among conservatives. Trump’s own sons, Eric and Don Jr., started sporting full beards during his first term, showcasing their manly hobbies like hunting and fishing. Even Sen. Ted Cruz took a while but eventually embraced a solid beard in 2018, marking a shift from hardline partisan to a more bipartisan, “man-of-the-people” image.
Breaking the Facial Hair Barrier: Vice President JD Vance’s 2024 Milestone
A huge milestone was reached in 2024 when Vice President JD Vance became the first major-party nominee with facial hair in 75 years. His beard isn’t just a fashion statement—it’s a powerful symbol. Despite having criticized Trump sharply before the 2016 election, Vance’s look puts him in a prime spot to potentially inherit the MAGA movement in 2028.
If Vance runs for president and wins, he’ll be the first bearded U.S. president since Benjamin Harrison back in 1893. That’s over a century of clean-shaven commanders-in-chief broken, all thanks to this new wave of facial hair politics.
Democrats Catching Up: Beards as a Political Tool
Now, Democrats are trying to catch up with this trend. Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, who’s been vocal about fighting Republican cuts to social programs, recently joined what’s unofficially known as the Senate beard caucus. His facial hair is more of a five o’clock shadow—like he’s saying, “I’m too busy working for you to bother shaving every day.”
Arizona’s Sen. Ruben Gallego has been rocking a solid beard for two decades. A Marine Corps veteran, Gallego has gained attention not just for his beard but also for his tough stance against Trump and a new immigration plan that increases border enforcement—moves that have sparked speculation he might throw his hat in the presidential ring.
Why Beards? The History and Psychology Behind the Trend
You might wonder why beards are suddenly so political. Historically, facial hair was far more common among politicians in the early to mid-20th century, but it fell out of favor as social norms shifted and television’s polished image took over. Research shows that members of Congress with facial hair are perceived as more masculine, but interestingly, women voters tend to prefer clean-shaven candidates.
Christopher Oldstone-Moore, a history professor and author of Of Beards and Men: The Revealing History of Facial Hair, says we might be in the middle of a “fifth bearded era” — a period stretching from today’s hipster styles back to the days of Roman Emperor Hadrian.
Masculinity, Politics, and the Culture Wars
The resurgence of beards isn’t just about fashion—it’s wrapped up in larger cultural questions about masculinity and men’s roles in society. “Look at all the issues driving the culture war; they all revolve around gender,” Oldstone-Moore told HuffPost. He believes Trump’s victories over two female Democratic nominees only intensified this masculine identity crisis, fueling the right’s lead in the beard movement.
“The right has been leading in the beard movement recently, and I think the left has been trying to play catch-up,” he said.
Democratic Beards: From “Democracy Beard” to Basketball Bets
When approached for this story, Sen. Chris Murphy joked about growing a “democracy beard,” one he’d shave off once Trump stops challenging legal rulings and threatening the Constitution. But until then, the beard stays, even if it starts to itch. He half-seriously said he might shave it if the Boston Celtics win the NBA championship (spoiler: no shave yet).
Gallego, meanwhile, proudly calls himself the “OG” of beards among Democrats. Asked if he’d ever shave it, he quipped, “My wife would probably divorce me.” That’s some serious beard commitment.
The Senate Beard Caucus: A New Fuzzy Frontier
Republican senators have their own beard caucus too, featuring folks like Todd Young of Indiana and Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma. They tease their Democratic counterparts for jumping on the facial hair bandwagon, suggesting it’s less about style and more about political strategy.
Ted Cruz cheekily told HuffPost, “Maybe Democrats are listening to the voters and discovering they need to be more like Republicans.” Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) thinks Democrats are growing facial hair to look “rugged, more man-of-the-people,” but he says, “They probably ought to do it with policy, instead.”
The Evolution of Senate Facial Hair
Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) has witnessed the Senate’s hair evolution firsthand. When he arrived in 2010, there was basically no facial hair. Maine’s Sen. Angus King was one of the first with a mustache, then came goatees and Van Dyke styles. Hoeven nicknamed Cruz’s expanded Van Dyke the “Hombre Lobo” — Spanish for werewolf.
And now? Beards have taken over. Hoeven warns it’s not for everyone: “Some men can grow a good beard, and some men, not so much.”
The Goatee Debate and Other Styles
Not everyone in the Senate is all-in on the beard. Some, like Raphael Warnock of Georgia and John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, sport goatees—arguably a bit more controversial. Warnock, though, embraces his look confidently: “I’m for the goatees,” he said proudly.
But for Pete Buttigieg, experts say the scruffy beard works in his favor.
Why Buttigieg Should Keep the Beard
Oldstone-Moore believes Pete’s beard signals seriousness and edge. “When someone like Pete decides to grow a beard, it’s saying he’s a serious candidate,” the professor said. “It gives him a tougher, stronger image — something that could definitely help in a tough presidential race.”
Whether Buttigieg keeps it or shaves it off remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure: the politics of facial hair are back, and they’re here to stay.
Quick Highlights:
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Pete Buttigieg’s new beard signals a fresh, tougher look heading into 2028 speculation.
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Democrats are targeting apolitical men under 30, using podcasts and sports media, with facial hair as a cultural bridge.
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Vice President JD Vance broke a 75-year beard drought for major-party nominees in 2024.
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Senator Ruben Gallego’s beard and immigration stance fuel presidential rumors.
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Facial hair signals masculinity but may turn off some women voters.
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Beard trends mirror wider cultural debates about gender roles and masculinity.
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Senate beard caucus grows on both sides, blending style with politics.
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Experts say beards give candidates an “edgy,” serious look, crucial in modern campaigns.
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