Trump's picture to appear on some US passports

The State Department announced on Tuesday, April 28, that it will issue a limited series of special U.S. passports prominently featuring an image of President Donald Trump on the inside cover. The redesign is part of the federal government's initiatives to commemorate the nation's 250th anniversary this year.

In an email to NBC News, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott confirmed the upcoming July release.

“As the United States celebrates America’s 250th anniversary in July, the State Department is preparing to release a limited number of specially designed U.S. Passports to commemorate this historic occasion,” Pigott said. He noted that the new documents will “feature customised artwork and enhanced imagery while maintaining the same security features that make the U.S. Passport the most secure document in the world.”

The commemorative design features the president's image superimposed over an American flag and the Declaration of Independence, complete with Trump's signature printed in gold lettering. Another page in the passport will display a famous painting of the Founding Fathers signing the Declaration of Independence. The State Department has not immediately confirmed whether the likeness of a sitting American president has ever been included in a U.S. passport before.

According to a State Department official, this special edition will be issued as the default passport at the Washington Passport Agency while supplies last. Applicants using online options or applying at other locations will continue to receive the standard existing passport design.

The White House praised the initiative, framing it as a celebration of the nation's milestone. Spokesperson Olivia Wales stated that the “new patriotic passport design provides yet another great way Americans can join in the spectacular celebrations for America’s 250th birthday.” She added that the president “continues to proudly lead a renewal of national pride and patriotism during our historic semiquincentennial celebration.”

The passport redesign is part of a broader rollout of 250th-anniversary tributes featuring the president. In March, an exclusively Trump-appointed federal commission voted to approve a 24-carat commemorative gold coin depicting the president. That same month, the Treasury Department made the unprecedented announcement that Trump's signature would be added to U.S. dollar bills. Historically, paper currency has only carried the signatures of the treasury secretary and the treasurer, making this the first time a sitting president’s signature will appear on U.S. paper money.

Beyond currency and travel documents, the president's name and likeness have been increasingly integrated across various federal sectors. Large banners bearing his picture have been hung from the Justice, Agriculture, and Labor departments. Additionally, his name has been added to the exteriors of the U.S. Institute of Peace and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and has been officially attached to proposed warships, discount drug programs, and savings accounts.

By Tamilla Hasanova