From 'blow up doll' Matt Gaetz to Kimberly Guilfoyle and even Trump: How plastic surgery was star of show at RNC 2024

Conservatism is all about preserving traditions and resisting sudden change.

Yet several high-profile right-wing figures sported radically different looks at this year's Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. 

Kimberly Guilfoyle, Donald Trump Jnr's fiancee, was hit with plastic surgery allegations after looking unrecognizable from her days as a liberal when she was married to democratic Governor Gavin Newsom.

Firebrand Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz was also accused of getting Botox and other cosmetic adjustments after sporting a radical facial transformation. One of Gaetz's rival Republicans likened him to a 'blow up doll.'

And Donald Trump himself is also rumored to have had procedures to enhance his looks, including multiple hair transplants.

Pictured above is Matt Gaetz who turned heads when he appeared at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday because of his over-arched eyebrows. He is pictured on the left in 2018

Other Republicans George Santos and former chairwoman Ronna McDaniel — who do not appear to be at this year's convention — have also been hit with surgery rumors.

Guilfoyle sparked speculation over her looks this week when she appeared on the convention stage to loudly declare her support for Trump.

Plastic surgeon to the stars, Dr Gary Motykie, told DailyMail.com he believed the 55-year-old had likely 'dabbled' in fillers because her cheeks seemed much fuller than in previous public appearances.

'She's lost a lot of weight,' he said, 'and when you lose the weight when you are older you tend to look more gaunt'.

'But this isn't the case with her, which makes me suspicious for filler — which has been used to make her cheeks much fuller.'

He also suggested the former Fox News personality had received lip filler because her's had remained the same size over time, rather than shrinking as normally happens when someone ages.

Reacting to her appearance online, one person said: 'Guilfoyle really needs to lay off the [plastic surgery] for a while'.

A second added: 'She's no doubt undergone the obligatory plastic surgery required to be part of the Trump clan.'

Social media was then set alight with memes when the Florida Congressman Gaetz took to the stage, with many immediately shocked by his over-arched eyebrows and ultra-smooth complexion.

Pictured above is Kimberly Guilfoyle in 2004 (left) and at the Republican Convention on Wednesday. A top surgeon suggested she had received fillers in her midface and lips

Dr Motykie said the 42-year-old had the 'classic' surprised expression of someone who had received too much Botox — likening his appearance to the eyebrows of Spok from StarTrek.

'A common mistake that some of these people make is to think, 'Oh, I want to look great for the RNC', and then they go and get Botox or filler a week or two before,' said Dr Motykie.

'The problem is it doesn't always settle in time, meaning that they can look poufy or overdone at the convention — but more natural two weeks later.'

Dr Michael Salzhauer, a plastic surgeon in Florida, also known as Dr Miami, agreeed that Gaetz had likely got the shots just days before the convention.

He also suggested to the Miami New Times that Gaetz's bizarre eyebrows could be the result of an eyebrow lift — where the eyebrows are raised to reduce wrinkles — and eyebrow threading — or a method for removing hair from the eyebrows.

Plastic surgeon Dr Gary Motykie said Gaetz's arched eyebrows reminded him of those on Spok in Star Trek 

Evidence for Botox included a lack of wrinkles on his forehead and the fact that if it is too heavy on some muscles but too light on others it can cause them to pull the eyebrows into the bizarre 'over-arched' and 'feminine-looking' shape seen on Gaetz.

Wisconsin GOP Rep. Derrick Van Orden jumped on the internet buzz about Gaetz's appearance, likening the Floridian to a sex doll.

'RNC debuts first AI powered inflatable sex doll to speak at a national convention,' Van Orden chided on X alongside an unflattering photo of Gaetz (R-Fla.) from the address.

Another viewer said on X: 'He looks like he's wearing a mask on his own face — gonna give the lizard people conspiracy theorists a lot to work with.'

A second said, 'Matt Gaetz (R-Botox)', and a third added: 'Wow. That Botox and filler is FRESH.'

And a third suggested his eyebrows made it look like he was preparing for an appearance on RuPaul's Drag Race. 

Pictured above is former Republican chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, who has faced accusations that she has received filler. She is yet to appear at the Republican National Convention

Pictured above is disgraced former Republican congressman George Santos. He has previously faced accusations that he received filler and Botox

Previously, disgraced congressman George Santos has been accused of getting Botox and filler in his lips and cheeks.

Former Republican chairwoman Ronna McDaniel has also previously been accused of receiving filler in her cheeks and lips following weight loss.

And it's not just Republicans. Plastic surgery has become increasingly popular among politicians of all stripes in recent years, according to Dr Motykie.

The aim is to look more youthful and strong and to convince voters they are still up to the job.

Democrat leaders such as Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi appear to have received plastic surgery.