Donald Trump’s hair has become an iconic feature of his public persona, described variously as “a decomposing ear of corn,” “an airboat skimming the Everglades,” and even a “complex superstructure.” This increasingly popular hairstyle is more than just a personal expression. It’s no accident, but rather a calculated move to reinforce an important aspect of his brand as a populist politician. As fashion commentator Simon Doonan would say, that’s hair certainty. This one simple phrase embodies the power of authentic hair that accurately depicts life as it is, making it invaluable in politics and representation.
Doonan tells us that the key to presidential hair is “hair of conviction. He further elaborates on this notion, asserting that “hair-certainty describes hair that is what it appears to be.” This idea underlines how politicians utilize their hairstyles as a form of nonverbal communication, reflecting their identities and approaches to leadership.
Though Trump’s hair certainly turns heads, not every politician has the luxury of the same infamy over their locks. Keir Starmer’s hair has been characterized as “unnoteworthy” in contrast to Trump’s flamboyance. Arguably, Nigel Farage’s hair is even more boring, in a way that mirrors Starmer’s low-key chi. Contrast that with Pete Hegseth, another former national guard officer, advocating for new grooming standards in the U.S. Army. For starters, he’s the only one to really play the “hair certainty” card, doubling down with an extra stiff and pomaded style.
Kamala Harris’s hair represents freedom over black hair. More importantly, it continues the discussion on race and identity in politics that need to happen. The Guardian’s style arbiter Simon Doonan gives Harris’s hair its proper due, calling it “landing gear, propelling her forward.”
Rachael Gibson, aka The Hair Historian, explains cultural importance in hair throughout history. She highlights that “there’s not many body parts which tell people about us … hair reflects anything from your status, your place in society, your religion.” This framing helps to understand how hairstyles can serve as an expression of social meaning more than just style.
Doonan connects todays political hairdos to the do’s of the past. He likens Trump’s style to that “idiom of the 50s pompadour. Pierre Cardin This glamorous style will definitely lead you to think of such legends as Elvis Presley and Johnny Hallyday. This important narrative connection grounds Trump’s hairstyle as not merely a personal choice but part of our larger cultural narrative.
The portrayal of hair as a political tool goes much deeper than personal appearance. It infiltrates merchandise and even protests. His hair has been immortalized on everything from hairpieces to T-shirts—and even paraded above anti-Trump protests on a giant blimp. These examples are just a few to show how hair has been used as a potent symbol in political debates.
“All politicians have a brand, but when you’re a populist politician, it has to be outsize, and outsize hair is part of that brand. It makes you recognizable to people who pay little attention to politics.” – Tim Bale
This idea of branding through personal presentation strikes a chord with professional image consultants such as Lauren A Rothman.… She claims that grooming decisions can convey reliability. Rothman explains, “the language that I’ll use with my clients is ‘clothing, hair, makeup; your appearance that feels intentional, even if messy, creates trust.’”
At the other end of the spectrum, some styles might trigger doubt. Doonan expresses doubts about candidates with overly complex hairstyles, saying, “I put him in the category of ‘not going to get elected’, because his hair is a bit of an enigma, overly complex and requiring salon maintenance.” This last observation gives insight into the aspirational and practical considerations voters may have when it comes to candidates’ visual representation.
Other political leaders are unapologetic about their distinctive styles. Tulsi Gabbard continues to be the states’ grey streak, and Brit Wes Streeting is keeping his cool under what Doonan calls that “low-key certainty.” These three examples are just the tip of the iceberg, showcasing a wide array of hairstyles that politicians use to assert their narratives and personas.
As Doonan reminds us, hair-pulling certainty in a Democratic primary isn’t enough to ensure electoral wins. It’s pivotal to creating that public-facing narrative. He humorously remarks on Trump’s hairstyle, noting its attention-grabbing quality: “It’s like Mrs. Robinson or Cruella de Vil … that stripe … that seems to resonate with that theatricality the Republicans uninhibitedly embrace.”