Listen to and follow ‘The Opinions’
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube | iHeartRadio
” class=”css-owy2rv ey68jwv2″>Jessica Grose
Produced by Vishakha Darbha
From done-up hair to heavily applied makeup, conservative women — particularly those in President Trump’s orbit — deploy a specific aesthetic to signify their politics. Women like Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina are exemplars of this beauty trend, showing off a hyperfeminine look that is at odds with how they wield their power.
In this episode of “The Opinions,” Meher Ahmad, an editor for Times Opinion, and the Opinion writer Jessica Grose discuss why this aesthetic is tailored for social media’s algorithm — and what it’s really selling.
(A full transcript of this audio essay will be available within 24 hours of publication in the audio player above.)
Thoughts? Email us at [email protected].
This episode of “The Opinions” was produced by Vishakha Darbha. It was edited by Alison Bruzek and Kaari Pitkin. Mixing by Carole Sabouraud. Original music by Pat McCusker and Carole Sabouraud. Fact-checking by Mary Marge Locker and Michelle Harris. Audience strategy by Kristina Samulewski and Shannon Busta. The director of Opinion Audio is Annie-Rose Strasser.
The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips. And here’s our email: [email protected].
Follow the New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Bluesky, WhatsApp and Threads.
Jessica Grose is an Opinion writer for The Times, covering family, religion, education, culture and the way we live now.
The post Kristi Noem and the MAGA Beauty Aesthetic appeared first on New York Times.
