7 Photos Of JD Vance That Prove He's Never Beating The Eyeliner Allegations

Have you been keeping up with the best makeup tips? According to these photos, JD Vance certainly has. The vice president is at the center of some internet fan theories surrounding his eyes. The discourse has centered zoomed-in images of Vance's face and introduced us to one of those weird things about Vance we can't help but notice: the dark outline of his blue eyes (as seen in the above photo at an August 2025 event in Georgia). The internet has speculated that the appearance is brought on by eyeliner.

CEO of the GlossWire beauty app, Kimberly Carney, sat down with Slate to give her two cents on the VP's appearance and purported eyeliner look: "I think it's due to the natural set of shadows in the contours created by his hooded eyelids." What actually causes hooded eyelids can be habits, genetics, or a combination of factors, but the result of this possible feature on Vance is a dark eyeliner effect that has had everyone speculating. Carney's theory is subtly supported by taking a look back through what Vance looked like before becoming vice president, which reveals that the dark lines around his eyes have been around long before his role in government.

Even with the knowledge that Vance's looks may be natural, they certainly appear cosmetically enhanced. It's so noticeable that even Zach D. Roberts, a photojournalist, commented in a now-deleted tweet: "I really thought people were joking about this, but then I photographed him last week. Vance 100% does wear eyeliner" (via The Independent). So, what is it? Au naturel or totally makeup?

JD Vance was photographed in August 2025 while in La Crosse, Wisconsin, to promote President Donald Trump's Big Beautiful Bill. The vice president attended a rally to garner support and was greeted with a standing ovation by the large crowd. While admiring the crowd before him, Vance opened his remarks with a comment on the appearance of his supporters, saying: "We have a great-looking crowd here" (via Right Side Broadcasting Network). And Vance certainly fit the description himself as he was photographed mid-speech with the suspicious dark lining around his eyes.

JD Vance spoke with the press on the tarmac with Air Force Two in September 2025 after an official trip to Minnesota. In the photos that surfaced following the conversation, he appeared in his typical tailored suit, matching tie, and darkened eye look. Examining Vance's eyes closer, there definitely looks to be an outline of dark makeup that presses into even the corners of his tear ducts. The appearance presents almost undeniable reasoning for the ongoing questioning of the vice president's possible use of makeup.

In this appearance from May 2024, JD Vance sat alongside journalist and CNN news anchor Wolf Blitzer in a conversation about Donald Trump. Now, it's no secret that television appearances mean makeup touchups, but this look from Vance did not help the speculation of eyeliner. Viewers took to X with their comments, and one X user teased Vance for his appearance with the quip, "JD Vance: 'I will be boycotting all eyeliner and makeup products made in NY effective immediately.'"

Back in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV was elected as the 267th head of the Catholic Church and was the first American to take up the mantle of popehood. To celebrate his nomination, Vice President JD Vance flew to Rome, Italy, to attend Pope Leo's Inauguration Mass at the Vatican. While there, Vance invited press reporters onto Air Force Two, where this photo was taken. Taking a look at Vance's left eye is what really raises the question: Is he wearing eyeliner? And if he is, it looks great because his blue eyes really pop.

On a trip to Italy and India in April 2025, JD Vance met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the first female prime minister of the country. The pair were photographed shaking hands and standing together for a presentation in the Palazzo Chigi, the office of the prime minister. As they posed for pictures, a close-up of Vance's profile was caught. In this zoomed-in image of the VP, his eyes appear to be highlighted by a dark outline surrounding them. There is no denying that the coloring closely resembles the look of dark eyeliner.

JD Vance hosted a breakfast in May 2025 for National Police Week at his residence in D.C. Law enforcement officers were welcomed into the vice president's home to enjoy an early meal and listen to the VP give a short speech. Standing in front of the crowd, Vance stepped forward with that signature eyeliner-esque look. The appearance of makeup is even more plausible in The National Desk's recording of Vance's remarks, where his eyes seem noticeably shaped by a shaded effect.