Should President Trump Shave His Head?

At the Conservative Political Action Conference, President Trump finally admitted that he “tries like hell to hide” his bald spot. Of course, it’s more than just a “spot” he’s concealing. As a fierce wind made clear one day when he was ascending the steps of Air Force One, the back and top of his head are deforested.

Reputedly, Trump doesn’t like to read. But if he did — and if he kept up on social science literature — in 2012, he might have learned that waddling around under a giant keratin sculpture is probably not helping America seem great again. According to a study conducted at his alma mater, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, a shaved and polished head might be a more presidential look.

Source: Copyright Rebecca Coffey

Social data scientist Albert E. Mannes conducted three experiments. First, he showed 59 people photographs of some men with hair and some with shaved heads. The test subjects rated the baldies as more dominant. Next, he showed 344 people pictures of men. Some of the photos were digitally altered to remove their hair. On average, when shown with shiny pates, men were rated as more masculine, confident, dominant, tall, and physically strong. In the third study, 522 participants read descriptions of some men. The descriptions were identical, except that some were of a shaved head, some told of a head with thin hair, and some described a head with thick hair. Shaved heads scored highest on measures of masculinity, dominance, leadership potential, strength, and a willingness to defy convention.

Culturally and historically, a head full of hair signals power (think “Samson”). So why do completely hairless heads communicate machismo better than toupees or comb-overs? According to Mannes, being proudly bald can be seen as both a declaration of fitness and a virile disregard of social norms.

“Hair? I ain't got no hair! I don't need no hair. I don't have to show you any stinkin' hairs!” may be the baldies’ silent scream — that is, if they’re ironically inclined fans of The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.

President Trump, take note: Consider losing the orange fluff. But if you do shave your head, please don’t also tattoo it. "Skinhead” is not a good look for the most powerful man in the world.