Today, Explained – Episode: Mar-a-Lago Makeover
Release Date: April 18, 2025
Hosts: Sean Rameswaram and Noel King
Producer: Vox

Introduction

In this episode of Today, Explained, Vox delves into the intersection of politics and aesthetics through the lens of Suzanne Lambert's viral TikTok series mocking Republican makeup techniques and Ine Oh's exploration of the "MAGA glam" phenomenon. Hosts Sean Rameswaram and Noel King guide listeners through the cultural and political implications of these trends, offering insights into how appearance and presentation play pivotal roles in contemporary political narratives.

Suzanne Lambert’s TikTok Makeover Campaign

Suzanne Lambert, a TikTok creator, has gained significant attention by satirizing Republican makeup styles, particularly those she associates with Mar-a-Lago aesthetics. Her approach blends humor with political commentary, creating a unique space for discourse.

• Origin of the Campaign:
  Suzanne explains that her inspiration stemmed from frustration post-election. "It took me all of 10 minutes to record, edit and post where I was on vacation for my birthday. And I was just pissed off and feeling hopeless after the election," she shares (02:15).

• Makeup as Political Commentary:
  Suzanne meticulously recreates what she terms "Republican makeup" by using unconventional techniques like applying directly with hands instead of brushes, resulting in a "streaky" and "dusty" appearance (03:53). This intentional lack of polish serves as a critique of the perceived superficiality in political presentations.

Background: From Young Republican to Vocal Critic

Suzanne's transformation from a high school Republican to a liberal advocate is a central narrative that adds depth to her online presence.

• Early Political Involvement:
  Growing up in Kennesaw, Georgia, Suzanne was actively involved in the Young Republicans during high school, a role she describes as superficial: "We would just have meetings and be like, isn't Sean Hannity cool?" (07:08).

• Shift in Beliefs:
  The turning point came with Trump's controversial behavior and policies. Suzanne recounts, "when Trump announced his run for presidency... I just felt like people should still be saying, we're still gonna vote for him, but that's bad" (08:01). An unexpected pregnancy accelerated her shift, challenging her previously held anti-choice stance and leading her to question broader Republican ideologies (08:34).

Reaction and Impact of Suzanne’s Mocking

Suzanne’s satirical videos elicited mixed reactions, predominantly polarized along political lines.

• Republican Backlash:
  Some Republicans reacted negatively, expressing disappointment. "Oh, I thought y'all were the party of love and kindness," Suzanne notes (05:34). However, she also mentions that a few appreciated the humor: "Some of them, like, to their credit, were like, okay, like, this is actually funny" (05:39).

• Support from the Left:
  On the other hand, her content resonated deeply with liberal audiences, who saw it as a refreshing shift. "There's an overwhelming sense of, like, oh my God, we're finally talking a little shit," she observes (06:24).

• Cross-Political Following:
  Interestingly, Suzanne has garnered followers across the political spectrum. "I have Republicans who follow me who will also ask me questions and advice," she remarks, highlighting the complexity of political discourse in the digital age (12:02).

Ine Oh’s Analysis: The Aesthetics of Power in the MAGA Era

Ine Oh, Senior Editor at Mother Jones, provides a scholarly perspective on the visual presentation of MAGA supporters and those in Donald Trump’s inner circle.

• Defining MAGA Aesthetics:
  Ine describes the aesthetic as "overly taught faces" with "puffed up lips, lots of apparent use of Botox fillers," leading to a "cyborgian" appearance gone awry (15:15). She draws parallels to South Korean beauty standards, emphasizing the global influence of such aesthetics.

• Political Implications:
  The appearance is not merely superficial but carries political weight. Ine posits, "The image is political," stressing that the crafted appearance serves to reinforce traditional gender norms and align with Trump's brand of power (21:13).

• Case Studies:
  She cites figures like Kristi Noem and Lara Trump as exemplars of this trend, noting their use of cosmetic enhancements to project a specific image. "They want to shock. They want to make it look good," Ine explains (19:51).

• Balancing Critique and Compassion:
  Ine acknowledges the fine line between critiquing political aesthetics and engaging in personal attacks. However, she argues that the political significance of these appearances justifies the scrutiny. "What's going on with this MAGA aesthetic is political. The image that they're crafting is political," she asserts (22:34).

Intersection of Personal Identity and Political Expression

Both Suzanne and Ine explore how personal identity and political alignment shape and are shaped by appearance.

• Suzanne’s Personal Journey:
  Suzanne reflects on her evolving identity, stating, "I want people to be able to see, like, oh no. I actually did used to think what you think. So, like, I get why you think that way. Here's why that's wrong, though," highlighting her role as both critic and former insider (09:47).

• Ine’s Empathy and Analysis:
  Ine connects her personal experiences with broader societal pressures, noting her own contemplation of cosmetic procedures and how seeing others conform to specific beauty standards helped her empathize with those perpetuating the MAGA aesthetic (16:27).

Conclusion

The episode skillfully navigates the nuanced relationship between appearance and politics, illustrating how makeup and aesthetics serve as tools for both personal expression and political messaging. Suzanne Lambert’s satirical TikTok series and Ine Oh’s analytical approach provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the cultural landscape shaped by political aesthetics.

Notable Quotes

• Suzanne Lambert at [02:15]:
  "It took me all of 10 minutes to record, edit and post where I was on vacation for my birthday. And I was just pissed off and feeling hopeless after the election."

• Suzanne Lambert at [07:08]:
  "So I was the president of Young Republicans, which didn't really mean anything. We would just, like, have meetings and be like, isn't Sean Hannity cool?"

• Ine Oh at [15:15]:
  "The image is political. The image that they're crafting is political."

• Suzanne Lambert at [22:34]:
  "What's going on with this MAGA aesthetic is political. The image that they're crafting is political."

Additional Contributors

• Production Team: Gabrielle Burbay (Producer), Amina Al Saadi (Editor), Laura Bullard (Fax), Patrick Boyd and Andrea Christensdotter (Sound), among others.
• Music: Breakmaster Cylinder

Follow & Connect:

• Suzanne Lambert: TikTok
• Ine Oh: MotherJones.com

Feedback:
For questions or comments about the show, email NoelingMail.net.

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the "Mar-a-Lago Makeover" episode of Today, Explained, offering a comprehensive overview for those who haven't tuned in.