US Vice President JD Vance (file photo)

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 person to hold the position. Interestingly, Vance will also become the first vice president in nearly a century to have facial hair, as reported by the New York Post.
The last vice president with 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 signature style is notable as he also becomes the first millennial to serve in such a high-ranking office.

Vance, a former critic who became an ardent Trump supporter, rose to national fame 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 relationship with the former president secured him a spot on the ticket.
Rumors swirled that Vance’s beard may have cost him the vice presidential nod, but Trump dismissed the 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.”
Previously, body language expert Joe Navarro, a former FBI agent, noted that Vance’s beard could indicate assertiveness and, for some, even resistance to feminist ideals.
According to Politico, some voters may view facial hair as a symbol of masculinity; traits that can create a perception of strength and competence, but can also be seen as overly assertive, especially by female voters. Studies have shown that beards often evoke mixed reactions, with interpretations varying widely across demographic groups.

The significance of Vance’s style choice is notable, as he becomes the first vice president in eighty years to embrace facial hair during his campaign.