In a surprising turn of events, JD Vance remains a contender as Donald Trump's potential running mate for the upcoming presidential election, despite previous reports suggesting a major faux pas committed by the Ohio senator. The offense was initially thought to be Vance's past criticisms of Trump, labeling him "America's Hitler" and equating Trumpism to the "Opioid of the Masses." However, it appears that Vance's greatest transgression, according to pundits, lies in his decision to sport a beard.

Unnamed sources close to Trump revealed that the president has a preference for clean-shaven individuals, making Vance's facial hair a cause for concern. Beards have reportedly been a topic of dislike for Trump, evident in his sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, as well as senators Ted Cruz and Rand Paul, who all sport facial hair. Trump's former national security adviser, John Bolton, and his distinctive mustache, have also drawn criticism from the president.

However, during a recent interview with Fox News Radio host Brian Kilmeade, Trump swiftly dismissed the notion that Vance's facial hair would impact his candidacy. Kilmeade questioned Trump about rumors suggesting Vance's exclusion based on his beard, to which Trump responded, "He looks good. Looks like a young Abraham Lincoln." Trump did not delve further into the topic of Vance's candidacy, but he mentioned that his official running mate announcement would be made close to the Republican convention in Milwaukee next week.

It is worth noting that Trump's comparison of Vance to a "young Abraham Lincoln" was factually inaccurate. At 39 years old, Vance, a former "public affairs marine" turned venture capitalist and bestselling author, has embraced Trumpism after initially resisting it, ultimately winning a Senate seat in 2022. In contrast, when Abraham Lincoln was 39 in 1848, he was a clean-shaven lawyer who had served as a Whig congressman.

Lincoln famously grew a beard but not a mustache later in his life, at the age of 51, after winning the presidency. Vance, on the other hand, seems to be maintaining his beard to project experience and toughness, traits that could appeal to Trump and voters alike. One unnamed Trump adviser expressed concerns that without the beard, Vance would appear much younger, stating, "Without the beard, Vance looks like he's 12."

As Trump prepares to announce his running mate, other contenders such as Florida senator Marco Rubio and North Dakota governor Doug Burgum, both clean-shaven, are reportedly still in contention. However, Trump's personal preference regarding facial hair seems to have been dismissed, and Vance's candidacy remains a potential option.

The selection of the vice-presidential candidate will likely add excitement and intrigue to the Republican convention. Trump reminisced about the old tradition of choosing the running mate during the convention, and he expressed his desire to have a similar process this time. The anticipation for his final decision continues to grow as the convention draws near.

Ultimately, whether Vance's beard will affect his chances of becoming Trump's running mate remains uncertain. As the clock ticks closer to the convention, the speculation surrounding Trump's VP selection intensifies, bringing attention not only to political strategy but also to personal grooming choices.