From "Mar-a-Lago face" to uncanny AI art: MAGA loves ugly in submission to Trump

Salon - Mar 24th, 2025
Open on Salon

In the era of Donald Trump, a unique aesthetic has emerged within the MAGA movement, characterized by a deliberate embrace of ugliness and outlandish fashion choices. Key figures such as Trump, Elon Musk, and Mark Zuckerberg have adopted styles that are both garish and defiant, often featuring ill-fitted suits, clashing patterns, and exaggerated cosmetic enhancements. This aesthetic trend reflects a broader ideological stance within the movement, where ugliness is wielded as a form of power, serving as a visual demonstration of contempt and dominance over perceived liberal sensibilities.

This phenomenon is deeply rooted in the MAGA movement's rejection of traditional norms and beauty standards. By embracing a 'car crash' principle of aesthetics, where grotesque appearances capture attention and provoke reactions, MAGA adherents engage in a form of visual trolling. Additionally, this aesthetic is intertwined with gender politics, as exaggerated masculine and feminine presentations are used to reinforce rigid gender roles, contrasting with the subversive tactics of drag culture. Ultimately, the MAGA aesthetic underscores a broader cultural and political strategy to assert power and control through deliberate visual transgressions.

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RATING

4.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article presents an engaging and provocative critique of the MAGA aesthetic, focusing on its embrace of ugliness and submission to Trump. While the topic is timely and relevant, the article's accuracy is limited by its reliance on subjective interpretations and a lack of robust evidence. The narrative is heavily skewed towards a negative perspective, lacking balance and diverse viewpoints. The article's engaging style and focus on prominent figures may capture reader attention, but its critical tone and lack of transparency in sourcing may limit its overall impact. To enhance its quality, the article would benefit from more balanced perspectives, clearer evidence, and a more structured presentation.

RATING DETAILS

4
Accuracy

The article makes several claims that are difficult to verify due to their subjective nature. For instance, the concept of the "Mar-a-Lago face" and its association with Trump's influence is presented as a widely recognized trend, but lacks concrete evidence or statistical backing. The claim that this aesthetic reflects a form of submission to Trump is speculative and not directly supported by empirical data. Additionally, the article suggests that AI-generated art is used by MAGA supporters to promote a grotesque aesthetic, but it does not provide specific examples or credible sources to substantiate this claim. Overall, while the article presents interesting observations, many of its claims are based on interpretations that require further evidence and corroboration.

3
Balance

The article predominantly presents a critical perspective on the MAGA aesthetic, particularly focusing on its perceived embrace of ugliness. It lacks balance by not providing viewpoints from those who might support or explain the aesthetic choices from a positive or neutral standpoint. The narrative is heavily skewed towards a negative interpretation, describing the aesthetic as grotesque and as a form of submission, without exploring potential counterarguments or alternative explanations. This one-sided approach may lead readers to perceive a bias against the subjects being discussed, particularly those associated with the MAGA movement.

6
Clarity

The article is written in a vivid and engaging style, using descriptive language to convey its points. However, the tone is often sarcastic and critical, which may detract from the clarity of the arguments presented. The structure is somewhat fragmented, jumping between different examples and points without a clear logical flow. While the article is accessible in terms of language, the heavy use of opinion and subjective interpretation may obscure the factual basis of the claims, making it challenging for readers to discern the underlying evidence.

5
Source quality

The article references a few sources, such as Mother Jones and New Socialist, to support its claims. However, it lacks a diverse range of authoritative sources that could lend more credibility to its assertions. The reliance on social media posts and opinions from individuals like Gareth Watkins and Anne Higonnet provides anecdotal support but does not constitute robust evidence. The use of quotes from plastic surgeons and professors adds some credibility, but the article would benefit from a broader array of sources, including academic studies or direct statements from those involved in the trends being discussed.

4
Transparency

The article does not clearly outline the basis for its claims or the methodology used to arrive at its conclusions. While it cites a few sources, it does not sufficiently disclose how these sources were selected or how representative they are of the broader phenomena being described. There is a lack of transparency regarding potential conflicts of interest or biases that might influence the author's perspective. The article would benefit from more explicit explanations of the evidence behind its claims and a clearer presentation of any underlying assumptions.

Sources

  1. https://english.elpais.com/lifestyle/2025-02-24/the-popularity-of-the-mar-a-lago-face-soars-in-trumps-inner-circle.html
  2. https://economictimes.com/news/international/us/what-is-the-mar-a-lago-face-trend-that-has-become-a-sensation-in-the-u-s-plastic-surgeons-reveal-the-secret/articleshow/118610791.cms
  3. https://www.salon.com/2025/03/24/from-mar-a-lago-face-to-uncanny-ai-art-magas-love-of-ugliness-is-submission-to/
  4. https://www.veranda.com/luxury-lifestyle/a63447753/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-design-history/
  5. https://www.salon.com