Donald Trump to appear on commemorative US passports

The US State Department has said it is preparing a limited release of commemorative passports celebrating America’s 250th birthday that feature a picture of Donald Trump.

Between 25,000 and 30,000 of the new passports will be available to applicants at the Washington DC passport office beginning shortly before July 4th.

Mr Trump will be the first living president to be featured in the travel document and it is the latest instance of him having his name and likeness added to buildings, documents and other highly visible tributes.

There are efforts to put Mr Trump’s signature on all new US paper currency, which is also a first for a sitting president, as well as to include his image on a gold commemorative coin to celebrate the country’s founding.

The commemorative passport will be the default document for people applying in person at the Washington DC office, although those who want a standard passport will be able to get one by applying online or outside the district, officials said.

“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.

“These passports will feature customised artwork and enhanced imagery while maintaining the same security features that make the US passport the most secure documents in the world,” he said.

The limited release passport will feature Mr Trump’s picture over a gold imprimatur of his signature to an interior page, while the cover will feature the words “United States of America” in bold gold print at the top and “Passport” at the bottom — a reversal of the standard cover.

Patriot passport unlocked. 🦅

Limited edition. Stamped for America 250. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/86uxPS1FEk

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 28, 2026

In addition, a small gold laminate American flag, with the number 250 encircled by stars, will be at the bottom of the back cover.

The only presidents featured in current US passports are in a double-page depiction of Mount Rushmore in South Dakota – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.

Other depictions include the Statue of Liberty, the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall in Philadelphia, and scenes of the Great Plains, mountains and islands. Current passports also contain quotations from Martin Luther King Jr as well as presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, John F Kennedy and Dwight Eisenhower.

The addition of Mr Trump’s picture and signature to the passport book is the newest step his aides have taken to increase the president’s visibility, including adding his name to the US Institute of Peace building and the Kennedy Centre performing arts venue.

Mr Trump has also made waves with his plans for a new White House ballroom and a massive arch to be built at one of the entrances to Washington DC from Virginia.