The idea for the special passport, showcasing Trump’s stern expression, had been in development for months and received final approval late Monday. Applicants can access between 25,000 and 30,000 of the new passports at the Washington, D.C., passport office, starting shortly before July 4.
This initiative adds to the list of instances where Trump’s name and likeness have been incorporated into various significant tributes, including efforts to feature his signature on all new U.S. paper currency—another first for a sitting president—and his image on a gold commemorative coin honoring the country’s founding.
The commemorative passport will be the standard document for individuals applying in person at the Washington office, although those seeking a standard passport may apply online or outside Washington, according to officials.
“As the United States commemorates its 250th anniversary in July, the State Department is set to release a limited number of specially designed U.S. passports to acknowledge this historic event,” said State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott.
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“These passports will include unique artwork and enhanced imagery while preserving the same security features that make the U.S. passport the most secure documents globally,” he added.
The limited edition passport will have Trump’s picture alongside a gold version of his signature on an interior page, while the cover will display the words “United States of America” in bold gold at the top and “Passport” at the bottom—an alteration from the standard design.
Additionally, a small gold laminated American flag featuring the number 250 encircled by stars will be located at the bottom of the back cover.
The Bulwark previously reported on these commemorative passports.
The current U.S. passports feature a double-page illustration of Mount Rushmore, depicting George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
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Other imagery includes the Statue of Liberty, the Liberty Bell, and Independence Hall in Philadelphia, along with scenes of the Great Plains, mountains, and islands. Existing passports also feature quotes from Martin Luther King Jr. and presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Dwight Eisenhower.
Incorporating Trump’s image and signature into the passport book represents the latest endeavor by his aides to elevate the president’s presence, which also includes adding his name to the U.S. Institute of Peace building and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Trump continues to create excitement with his plans for a new White House ballroom and a large arch at one of the entrances to Washington from Virginia.
