The New York Times on Saturday justified its new marketing slogan, “The truth is more important now than ever” with a deep dive into the mystery of President Trump’s perpetual tan. In that spirit, I wanted to explore my own curiosities about the cosmetic routines of some other high-profile political figures.
During the Democratic rebuttal to Trump’s Oval Office address on immigration last month, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, appeared to struggle with some of her speech, slurring in some parts of her comments. Some conservatives online have made similar observations in the past, as when the Daily Wire wrote in January 2018 that Pelosi “appeared to be playing with her dentures,” during the State of the Union address.
I contacted Pelosi’s office to ask if she does in fact wear dentures. A press aide said she would pass along the query to the appropriate staff member but I’ve yet to hear back.
In March 2017, then-Fox News host Bill O’Reilly was made to apologize after he commented on the “James Brown wig” worn by Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif. The congresswoman seemed to confront the controversy on Twitter, writing, “I am a strong black woman. I cannot be intimidated, and I’m not going anywhere. #BlackWomenAtWork.”
She didn’t say, however, whether the dark, voluminous locks on her head were natural. So on Tuesday, I reached out to her communications director, Rykia Dorsey, for comment. I didn’t hear back from her, either.
Describing her morning routine, Democratic presidential contender Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., told New York magazine in August last year that in the morning, “Sometimes I swim if it’s not going to create an issue with my hair.”
The comment indicates a certain level of maintenance for the Harris hair, which perhaps doesn’t naturally have the silky bounce often on display in her televised appearances. I asked her office if she perms it with chemicals (some of which can cause damage to treated hair if it becomes wet), or whether she uses any other products to give it its luster. I’ll update this column if I hear back.
Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., is also running for the Democratic nomination and has spoken in the past about his affinity for “mani-pedis.” But what gives his skin that radiant hue? Is it a cream or cosmetic treatment provided by a professional?
I sent a text to Kristin Lynch, Booker’s press secretary, asking for his regimen, but haven’t heard back.
At 52 years old, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-Calif., is still a bombshell blonde, though the exact shade of her mane varies in photographs. Sometimes it’s platinum and in other photos, more yellow with what appears to be a stark white streak at the front. Does she dye it? And if so, is it completed at a salon or does she do it herself at home out of the box?
I posed these questions to her office, but did not hear back.
To be clear, I have interest in some Republicans, too.
Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., a frequent critic of the president, sports a hair part that fascinates in its geometric placement. It’s not really centered, not quite to the side, and often looks jagged instead of straight.
Does he use a comb or brush to create the part? Or does he finger style?
I requested comment on the hair from his spokesman, James Wegmann, but have not heard back.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in December startled the Internet commentary class when he appeared in the Senate with a beard. The liberal Slate said it “looks great.” But a month later, after Cruz had apparently given more of a severe shape to the beard, Esquire magazine’s Ben Boskovich, a former fan of the beard, said it now looked “washed up.”
The lines of the facial hair near the jaw did seem to sharpen, as though edged by a razor, and it seemed that Cruz made the common mistake of cutting the beard too far from his Adam’s apple, creating an awkward chin strap-like effect.
I asked three of his press aides whether Cruz is maintaining the beard by visiting a professional or if he’s using an electric groomer of some type. I haven’t heard back.
