Pete Buttigieg’s beard: His career may be over, but his beard is just getting started.

Pete Buttigieg's Beard: A Political Transformation?

This article analyzes the significance of Pete Buttigieg's recent decision to grow a beard, exploring its impact on his public image and political career. The author notes the online enthusiasm, particularly from gay men, for Buttigieg's new look, referencing numerous social media posts and articles.

The History of #BeardedButtigieg

The article highlights the viral success of FaceApp-edited images of Buttigieg with a beard years ago, which created the #BeardedButtigieg hashtag. These images, according to the author, transformed his image from a 'brown-nosing striver' into a more rugged and appealing figure.

• The manipulated photos suggested a more rebellious, less meticulously planned persona.
• The images were widely shared, especially within the LGBTQ+ community.

Buttigieg's subsequent decision to grow a real beard during the pandemic is connected to this earlier online phenomenon.

The Beard's Political Implications

The author discusses the political power of beards, citing examples of other politicians whose facial hair has affected public perception. The article suggests that Buttigieg's beard helps project a more mature and less 'wunderkind' image, aligning better with his role as a serious political figure.

• The beard is framed as a low-effort, high-impact method of image enhancement.
• It's linked to a shift in Buttigieg's political messaging towards a more assertive stance.

The article concludes by emphasizing the unexpected and positive impact of this simple physical change on Buttigieg's image and public perception.