Here’s What Causes MAGA Mar-a-Lago Face

Plus: a spooky homicide story and Eric Trump’s ties to an Israeli drone company.

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October 21, 2026

Why do MAGA women look like that? Today, Clara Molot answers this very reasonable question with another, more provocative question: What if they want to look like that? According to plastic surgeon and Botched star Terry Dubrow, East Coast surgery-seekers prefer a more “done” look than their counterparts on the West Coast. “Hollywood,” he says, “is more of a preservation and a refinement, a relaxed kind of improvement, a refreshing kind of vibe.” But New York—and Washington—want a visible upgrade: “If I’m going to have a facelift, I don’t want any laxity. If I’m going to have a brow lift, I want to have a brow lift; I want it up. [If] I’m going to have [an] upper-eye lift, take all the skin.” The more you know! Elsewhere, we present a classic long-form spooky-season read, a veteran political strategist makes the midterm case for Blexas, and Dan Adler watches the Knicks lose. (Booo!) More tomorrow.

HILLARY BUSIS FEATURES EDITOR

POLITICS   Experts Weigh In on What Causes “Mar-a-Lago Face”   By Clara Molot   Photos of Barbera Thornhill, Susan Dell, and Callista Gingrich have set off a swirl of online commentary. In Trumpworld, who decides if a facelift is botched? Read more

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ON THE SCENE

SPORTS   Can the Knicks Keep the Party Going After Their Loss?   By Dan Adler   When the Knicks won the championship this past June, fans swarmed MSG to celebrate. After last night’s rocky start, they’re struggling to figure out their next play. Read more

TECH   Eric Trump’s Support of the “Biggest Drone Company in Israel” Has Been Very Good for Business   By Margaux MacColl   The Xtend CEO’s end goal is Ender’s Game, a sci-fi thriller where the main character can control many drones at once. Ironically, the character later finds out that he’s committed xenocide. Read more

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STYLE   How The RealReal’s New Book Can Teach You How to Dress   By Marisa Meltzer   Chief brand officer and coauthor Kristen Naiman talks to VF about the changing zeitgeist of style and how you might end up buying Kim Kardashian’s Birkin. Read more

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TRUE CRIME SEASON

Did a Billionaire Tobacco Heiress Get Away With Murder?   By Peter Lance   In the fall of 1966, socialite Doris Duke killed a close confidant in Newport, Rhode Island. It was ruled then as an “unfortunate accident,” but 50 years later, evidence suggests otherwise. Read more

COUNTDOWN TO THE MIDTERMS

This Democrat Might Turn Texas Blue   By Mark McKinnon   Candidate James Talarico might benefit from a perfect political storm: a controversial GOP candidate plus a Trump-fueled change in the wind. Read more

Inside the Federal Coup Already Taking Shape   By James Robenalt   Here’s how Team Trump may be preparing to destabilize November’s vote—and keep Congress in Republican hands. Read more

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