Long lines formed in front of polling booths in the US on November 5, as millions of Americans voted for the next US president in the final act of a fiercely contested battle between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
As the world watched with bated breath, Trump, 78, was re-elected for a second term, with the former President outpacing Vice President Harris in the race to the Oval Office.
Even as votes in several key battleground states were being counted, Trump declared victory in a rousing speech at his election headquarters in West Palm Beach, Florida, promising his tenure will herald a ‘golden age for America’.
He was accompanied on-stage by his family, including wife Melania Trump, sons Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, and daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, who joined the crowd of jubilant supporters in cheering for the Presidential-elect in the early hours of Wednesday, November 6.
Just like in 2016, when Trump became the 45th President of the United States, he was surrounded by his brood, several of whom have played key roles in his bid for re-election.
Donald Trump with his family members (from left to right) son Barron Trump, 10, wife Melania Trump, son-in-law Jared Kushner, daughters Ivanka Trump and Tiffany Trump, former daughter-in-law Vanessa Haydon, sons Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, and daughter-in-law Lara Trump, after he defeated Hilary Clinton in the 2016 US Presidential election
The Trump clan couldn’t, however, look more different than they did eight years ago.
As they took the stage alongside Trump, it appeared former Apprentice stars Don Jr and Ivanka, as well as Eric, his wife Lara Yunaska, and Trump’s youngest daughter Tiffany had all given themselves makeovers ahead of a second stint in the White House.
Here’s how they’ve transformed their appearances over the last eight years:
Donald Trump Jr, 46
The eldest son of Trump, Donald Trump Jr is ‘less boy now, and more man,’ said plastic surgeon Dr Mark Solomos
Donald Trump Jr is the eldest son of Trump and his first wife Ivana Trump, who died in 2022. Today, at the age of 46, he remains one of the most recognisable faces on Trump’s campaign trail.
While his face appears transformed from the 38-year-old who supported his father’s first presidential bid, his loyalty hasn’t, staying by the new Presidential-elect’s side over the last eight tumultuous years.
The American businessman, who currently serves as the executive vice-president of Trump Organisation, is no longer the fresh-faced youngster that stepped on to stage as Trump was declared the 45th president.
In 2024, he’s sporting a salt-and-pepper beard that suits him well, said cosmetic expert and one of the UK’s leading plastic surgeons Mark Solomos.
‘He’s less boy now, and more man,’ he told MailOnline.
Commenting on Don Jr’s transformation, he added: ‘There’s some slight weight loss in his face, but that’s likely just a case of being older and taking care of his body which has resulted in slimmer, more honed-looking features.’
Dr Solomos says that Donald, who shares five children with ex-wife Vanessa Haydon, may also have had a ‘small amount of Botox around the eyes’, adding any cosmetic procedure has been ‘done exceptionally’ to still allow for facial movement.
He is reportedly engaged to former Fox News presenter Kimberly Guilfoyle, who has also campaigned for Trump.
Ivanka Trump, 42
Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner stepped back from politics after serving as Trump’s most trusted advisers when he was first elected to the White House in 2016
Ivanka Trump, Donald and Ivana’s second-born, was far more active during her father’s first election campaign – even serving as a White House adviser during his tenure as POTUS.
She was noticeably absent during Trump’s re-election campaign this year, since announcing her decision to step back from politics in 2022.
However, she and husband Jared Kushner (who was also one of Trump’s most trusted aides during his first presidency) dutifully took their places on-stage at the Palm Beach Convention Centre, looking just as proud of Trump Sr. as they did eight years ago.
While she was dressed in blue both times (an unconventional choice, considering red is the colour of the Republican party), her outfits couldn’t be more different.
Ivanka and Jared with Trump in 2016
Ivanka traded the powder blue dress she wore in 2016 for a navy blue velvet suit that is the epitome of power dressing – complete with a bright red lip in what was presumably a nod to the Republican party.
She also looked a world away from the 36-year-old model and socialite, who went on to become a big part of Trump’s administration the first time round.
Dr Solomos credited Ivanka’s glow-up to a combination of surgical enhancements as well as a healthy lifestyle, adding she’s blessed with ‘very good genes’.
‘I’d suggest she has had some skin tightening done, alongside fillers and Botox, as I’d expect to see more lines for someone in their early 40s.
‘As we age, we lose volume in the cheek area, so I suggest a small amount of filler has been placed there just to restore a more youthful appearance,’ he continued.
‘Ivanka’s nose also looks much smaller so again I’d suggest she’s had a non-surgical rhinoplasty,’ Dr Solomos added.
Other treatments she might have had include regular facials, peels, and laser treatments, while staying active and avoiding sun exposure.
‘It’s no surprise she also has a perfect set of veneers which would need to be regularly maintained,’ he said.
Eric Trump, 40
The youngest child of Donald and Ivana, who died in 2022, Eric Trump has shed his ‘boyish’ looks, Dr Solomos said
In 2016, Eric Trump – the youngest child of Donald and Ivana – was 32. At the age of 40, Dr Solomos said, he ‘doesn’t look quite so boyish’ anymore.
Like his older brother, Eric is also heavily involved in Trump’s real-estate business, serving as executive vice-president in the company. He is married to Lara Trump and the couple share two children, son Luke, seven, and daughter Carolina, five.
The most prominent feature of Eric’s makeover appears to be a leaner frame, with Dr Solomos saying: ‘You can see he’s lost some weight in the face area.
Similar to Don Jr, Eric has also replaced his clean-shaven look for more of a five o’clock shadow, ‘showcasing a more mature yet normal, slightly less polished’ appearance.
‘I’d say his look is quite tactical and to appeal to the American voters,’ the cosmetic expert added.
‘He has the perfect All-American set of veneers [that are] super white and even, which one would expect being a Trump.’
Lara Yunaska, 42
Trump reportedly handpicked his daughter-in-law Lara Trump to serve as co-chair of the Republican party in March, indicating her growing influence with his innermost circle
Eric’s wife of 10 years, Lara has been a bigger part of Trump’s bid for a second term, with the mother-of-two being appointed co-chair of the Republican party in March.
The former TV producer has risen among the ranks of the Trump family to emerge one of her father-in-law’s most trusted advisers in 2023.
The president-elect reportedly hand-picked for her new role in the Republican party, and Lara was the first member of the family to officially speak in support of Trump – following an attempt on his life in July – at the Republican National Convention.
Lara appears to be the most changed since 2016 – both in terms of her physical appearance, as well as her influence on Trump.
Dr Solomos said she has a ‘far more polished look since 2016’ when she celebrated Trump’s win, alongside her sisters-in-law Ivanka and Tiffany Trump.
No longer watching from the sidelines, Lara swapped the sleeveless blue dress she wore in 2016 for a black, full-sleeved number that exudes both glamour and power.
‘In some photos is hard to tell it’s the same woman,’ Dr Solomos commented on Lara’s dramatic transformation since Trump was last in power. In particular the lips have been slowly built up with the use of filler.’
He added that Lara has a ‘very defined jaw line’ and may have ‘undergone a face lift’ alongside Botox and using ‘filler injectables’.
Tiffany Trump, 31
Trump’s youngest daughter Tiffany Trump is currently expecting her first child with husband, Lebanese American businessman and billionaire heir Michael Boulos
In the years since her father first became President, Tiffany Trump graduated from Georgetown Law, where she currently works as a research assistant.
The now-31-year-old also tied the knot with Lebanese-American businessman and billionaire heir Michael Boulos in 2022 – the same year that Trump announced he was vying for a second term in office.
It’s known that the couple are expecting their first child together, after Trump announced that Tiffany was pregnant during a campaign event last month.
He announced the news at the Detroit Economic Club on October 10, describing Michael, 27, as a ‘very exceptional young guy’.
‘And she’s an exceptional young woman. And she’s going to have a baby. So that’s nice,’ he continued.
Tiffany and Michael joined their family in Palm Beach on Tuesday night, with the former picking an elegant white dress for the occasion.
Dr Solomos said Tiffany looked ‘more sophisticated’ than her appearance in 2014, when she wore an one-shoulder black bodycon dress to celebrate her father’s victory over Hilary Clinton.
Describing Tiffany at 31 as much more ‘toned down’, Dr Solomos added: ‘She’s once again sporting an identikit of pearly white veneers which seem to be common practice if you’re a Trump.
‘Tiffany has always had quite full cheeks so it’s tricky to say if she’s used any form of filler, but I do suspect she’s had some Botox around the forehead, eyes and around the nose area,’ he added.
Dr Solomos also suggested that Tiffany has had ‘what’s called a “lip flip” where a small amount of Botox is injected into the muscles around the upper lip.
‘This relaxes said muscles causing the lip to flip and appear fuller.’
Vanessa Haydon, 46
Vanessa Haydon (right) with Lara Trump on the night Trump won his first term in office, after defeating Hilary Clinton
Don Jr’s ex-wife Vanessa Haydon wasn’t a part of Trump’s entourage in Florida on the night he defeated Harris.
However, she wished her five children’s grandfather on being elected for a second run in an Instagram post on Tuesday, writing: We all love you.’
However, the former model was front and centre with the family in 2016, two years before she and Don Jr finalised their divorce.
Described by Dr Solomos as the ‘epitome of the All-American Girl’, Vanessa and Don Jr tied the knot in 2005 after they were introduced to each other by Trump at a fashion show.
Recent pictures of Vanessa suggest her skin ‘is free of lines and wrinkles, including crow’s feet’, the plastic surgeon noted.
‘So I suspect she has Botox quite frequently,’ Dr Solomos continued. ‘The lip shape has changed, so there’s been some filler placed, particularly in the top lip area and she sports a fuller pout.’
Standing together
Marketing and branding expert Estelle Keeber told MailOnline that The Trump family’s style evolution from 2016 to 2024 reflects a cohesive branding strategy
Estelle noted that while each family member’s look was distinct and memorable on its own, it ultimately ‘contributed to a cohesivevisual narrative that underscores the Trump brand’s shift from bold disruption to established authority’
Instead of dressing to stand out, like they did in 2016, there is an emphasis on ‘sophisticated, tailored looks’ this time around
Not just individually, it appears the Trump family has had a collective style makeover – one that reflects a ‘cohesive branding strategy’ amid reports of internal rifts between different members at different points during Trump’s presidency (and re-election campaign).
Marketing and branding expert Estelle Keeber told MailOnline: ‘The Trump family’s style evolution from 2016 to 2024 reflects a cohesive branding strategy.
‘In 2016, their fashion choices emphasised individuality within a larger narrative of disruption and outsider status,’ she explained, referring to Trump’s status as a political outsider.
‘Each family member dressed to stand out in a way that complemented Trump’s campaign style—bold, direct, and sometimes unrefined,’ she continued.
Eight years later, their style is ‘more coordinated’ with an focus on ‘sophisticated, tailored looks’; after all, this is not their first rodeo.
Estelle added: ‘By 2024, the family’s style is more coordinated, with a shared emphasis on sophisticated, tailored looks.
‘This shift reflects their attempt to unify under a polished family brand, projecting an image of stability and enduring influence,’ she continued.
Estelle noted that while each family member’s look was distinct and memorable on its own, it ultimately ‘contributed to a cohesive visual narrative that underscores the Trump brand’s shift from bold disruption to established authority’.
She described their style as a ‘strategic tool’ that’s been sharpened to underscore ‘their message through well-curated appearances that communicate experience, unity, and professionalism’.
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