This article explores how Pete Hegseth's humiliating live TV beard removal allegedly fueled his later policy as 'Defense Secretary' to ban beards and enforce strict appearance standards in the military, drawing parallels to Donald Trump's own aesthetic control over his associates.
The article recounts Pete Hegseth's 2018 experience as a Fox News host where his vacation beard was publicly shorn on live television after viewer complaints, leaving him feeling 'demeaned.' The author, acting as an 'armchair psychologist,' speculates that this event profoundly impacted Hegseth, leading to his later obsession with facial hair. As 'Defense Secretary' (a role the article implies he's ill-suited for, referring to him as a 'defense secretary keen on ordering possible war crimes' and 'secretary of the newly renamed “Department of War”'), Hegseth declared a ban on 'beards, long hair, superficial individual expression' and even criticized 'fat troops' in the military. Despite his pronouncements, a CNN report indicated that military personnel did not immediately adhere to his beard policy, much to his frustration. The article then broadens its scope, connecting Hegseth's actions to Donald Trump's well-known penchant for controlling the aesthetics of those around him, citing examples like 'Mar-a-Lago face' (cosmetic alterations among Trump's allies), Trump's dislike of Nikki Haley's complexion, and his specific preferences for staff attire. The author concludes by referencing Walter Benjamin's idea of the 'aestheticisation of political life' in fascism, suggesting that both Hegseth and Trump contribute to a highly branded, appearance-driven political spectacle, with Hegseth's 'crusade against stubble' being a prime example.
