Trump to put his image on the new limited-edition American passports

Highlights:

• Trump image to appear in special US passports
• Move marks 250th anniversary of Declaration of Independence
• Limited editions available only in Washington
• Democrats criticize decision as political
• No clear option to refuse a Trump-themed passport

An image of president Donald Trump will soon appear in some United States passports, officials said on Tuesday (28). The move breaks with long-standing norms, as no sitting US president has ever been featured in American travel documents.

The United States Department of State said it will offer the limited-edition passports to mark the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence. A sample shared on social media shows a stern-looking Trump superimposed over the Declaration of July 4, 1776. His signature appears in gold underneath.

A second version of the passport features a historic painting of the US Founding Fathers.

“As the United States celebrates America’s 250th anniversary in July, the State Department is preparing to release a limited number of specially designed US passports to commemorate this historic occasion,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said.

Availability and uncertainty for applicants

According to another department official, the Trump-themed passports will be available only at in-person appointments in Washington and “for as long as there is availability.” The passports will not cost extra.

It is not clear if applicants can refuse the Trump image. Most Americans apply for passports through local post offices, which will not offer the special edition versions.

Currently, US passports display scenes from American history, including the Moon landing and landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty. Other countries typically use historical or natural imagery in passports. Even countries like North Korea do not include images of their current leader, instead showing symbolic landmarks.

Political criticism and broader context

The decision has drawn criticism from lawmakers. Members of the Democratic Party targeted Marco Rubio over the initiative.

“Secretary Rubio should spend more time convincing his boss to end his war of choice in Iran, and less on wasting American tax dollars indulging Trump’s vanity,” the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee’s Democrats wrote on X.

Since returning to office, Trump has placed his name and image across government institutions. Banners featuring him have appeared on buildings in Washington. His name has also been added to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the dismantled US Institute of Peace.

Last month, the Treasury Department announced that Trump’s signature would soon appear on the dollar bill, marking another first.

In contrast, countries like Britain feature the image of King Charles III on currency, as he serves as head of state without direct political involvement.

Only about half of Americans currently hold valid passports. Surveys suggest that people in states that supported Trump are less likely to travel internationally compared to other regions.