Select Language:
A photo of Donald Trump will soon be featured in certain U.S. passports, government officials announced Tuesday, marking a break from normal protocol as the president seeks to imprint his personal influence on national institutions.
Few democracies worldwide—or elsewhere—have included images of sitting leaders in passports, and Trump would be the first sitting U.S. president to appear on American travel documents.
The State Department stated it plans to issue this special edition passport to commemorate this year’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Historically, the department—which has maintained a stance of neutrality in U.S. politics—shared a preview on social media of the passport. The image shows a stern-faced Trump overlaid on the July 4, 1776, Declaration of Independence, with his gold signature beneath.
A second limited edition features a historic painting of the U.S. Founding Fathers.
“As the U.S. celebrates its 250th anniversary in July, the State Department is preparing to release a limited batch of specially designed passports to honor this historic milestone,” said spokesperson Tommy Pigott.
An unnamed official said these Trump-themed passports will only be available during in-person visits in Washington and only as long as supplies last. The official also added there will be no extra charge.
It remains unclear if applicants can opt-out of having their passport display Trump’s image. Since most Americans apply for passports via local post offices—these offices might not supply the special edition.
Critics from the Democratic Party have voiced strong disapproval of the initiative. For instance, House Foreign Affairs Democrats criticized Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging him to focus on diplomatic issues like ending conflicts rather than “wasting tax dollars on boosting Trump’s vanity.”
Worldwide, passports with artwork usually showcase historical scenes or natural landscapes. Even North Korea, which prominently displays images of leader Kim Jong Un and demands loyalty, does not feature him in their passport; instead, they show Mount Paektu, a sacred mountain.
Currently, U.S. passports highlight historic moments and iconic sites such as the Moon landing and the Statue of Liberty. Since his return last year, Trump has prominently styled government buildings and institutions with his name and images—banners in the capital, and his name added to venues like the Kennedy Center and the former U.S. Institute of Peace.
Recently, the Treasury Department announced Trump’s signature will soon begin appearing on dollar bills, another unprecedented move.
In contrast, countries like Britain and other members of the Commonwealth feature their monarch, King Charles III, on currency. King Charles, as a constitutional monarch, does not directly engage in politics. He met with Trump during his official visit to Washington on Tuesday.
Currently, only about half the U.S. population holds valid passports—a lower ratio than many Western nations. Surveys suggest residents of states that leaned toward Trump are less inclined to travel internationally.
ChatGPT
Perplexity
Gemini AI
Grok AI
