Not for everyone: how the U.S. will issue passports featuring Trump’s portrait
29 April 13:41
The U.S. Department of State is preparing a limited edition series of U.S. passports to mark the 250th anniversary of the country’s independence. For the first time, the document’s special design will feature a portrait of current U.S. President Donald Trump. Not everyone will be able to obtain such a passport: the issue will be limited and available through the passport agency in Washington. This is reported by The Independent, Politico, and the BBC, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
The limited edition may consist of 25,000 to 30,000 passports, which will begin to be issued around July 4, 2026, when the U.S. will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
What is known about the new U.S. passport
The commemorative passport will be part of the America250 program, dedicated to the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. The document will feature an updated design but, as the State Department assures, will retain all standard security features.
“President Trump’s new patriotic passport design is another wonderful way for Americans to join in the spectacular celebrations of America’s 250th anniversary,” a White House spokesperson said in an interview with the BBC.
The inside page of the passport will feature a portrait of Donald Trump against a backdrop of text from the Declaration of Independence and the American flag. The design also includes the president’s gold signature. Another page will feature an image of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated that the special passports will feature personalized illustrations and enhanced images but will retain the same security features as a standard U.S. passport.
Who Can Get a Trump Passport
The limited-edition passport will be available to U.S. citizens who apply in person at the Washington Passport Agency. It is there that the document with the anniversary design will be issued as the standard option for applicants during the program’s launch period.
At the same time, those who do not wish to receive a passport featuring Trump’s portrait will be able to choose the standard version by applying online or outside of Washington.
There is no additional fee for the commemorative passport. The document will be issued until the limited edition runs out.
How the passport design will change
The commemorative passport will have several differences from the standard document. Specifically, on the cover, the words “United States of America” will be printed in bold gold lettering at the top, and the word “Passport” will be moved to the bottom.
This is the reverse order compared to the standard design.
Other features include:
- a portrait of Donald Trump inside the passport;
- the president’s gold signature;
- text from the Declaration of Independence as a background element;
- an image of the signing of the Declaration of Independence;
- a gold U.S. flag on the back cover;
- the number 250 surrounded by stars.
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Why this is a historic first
According to the AP, Donald Trump will become the first living U.S. president whose image appears in an American passport. Previously, U.S. passports featured historical symbols, landscapes, quotes, images of the Statue of Liberty, the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and past presidents.
Incumbent presidents are not usually depicted in such documents. That is why the limited edition featuring Trump’s portrait has already sparked widespread attention in the U.S.
American media note that the appearance of Trump’s portrait in the passport is part of a broader trend: his name, signature, or image are increasingly appearing on federal facilities, programs, and commemorative initiatives. Reuters reports that the Trump administration is also promoting other symbolic projects ahead of the U.S. anniversary, including commemorative coins and other elements of government branding.
Critics may view this as excessive personalization of national symbols, while Trump supporters see it as part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.
When will the anniversary passports be issued?
The passports are expected to be released on or around July 4, 2026, when the U.S. will celebrate Independence Day and the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
According to the AP, the first documents will be issued in Washington, and the print run will be limited.
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