White House unveils 'patriot passport' with Trump portrait
The White House on Friday released new images of a limited-edition US passport featuring President Donald Trump's portrait, advancing his efforts to brand the federal government with his name and likeness ahead of America's 250th anniversary in 2026.
Dubbed the 'patriot passport' by the administration, Trump promoted the document on Truth Social as 'The U.S.A.'s New Passport, which says, "Welcome, but be good!"' The State Department confirmed the commemorative passport will be issued at the Washington Passport Agency in Washington, DC starting July 6, 2026, while supplies last.
Design changes from earlier renderings
The State Department had initially announced in April that it would issue a commemorative passport, but the final design features different artwork. An earlier rendering showed a stern headshot of Trump, which has been replaced with a three-quarter-length portrait of the president leaning over the Resolute Desk with balled fists. The photograph, taken by White House photographer Daniel Torok, also hangs in the Smithsonian 'America's Presidents' exhibition.
Trump's portrait is surrounded by text from the Declaration of Independence, with his signature and 'United States of America' written underneath. The facing page depicts the founding fathers signing the Declaration of Independence, based on John Trumbull's painting at the Yale University Art Gallery.
Decorative flourishes and gold flag
The passport includes a 'Freedom 250' gold flag on the back cover. Previously, Trump's signature appeared in gold and the number '250' was absent; now his signature is in black and '250' is written in gold.
Democratic criticism of Trump coins and passport
Democrats have criticized the commemorative items. Earlier in June, Democratic senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Ron Wyden of Oregon called on the administration to halt production of a 250th anniversary solid-gold coin bearing Trump's image and the words 'FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT'—a reference to his chant after an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, nearly two years ago.
The senators argued the coin project should be dropped after reports that some gold used by the US Mint came from countries where gold is mined illegally. 'At the very least, the Mint should ensure that a coin intended to honor the nation's 250th anniversary is not made of gold linked to exploitation and criminal activity,' they said, adding that the coin 'is more befitting a monarchy than a democracy.'
California Governor Gavin Newsom mocked the Trump passport plan when first mooted, releasing a mock-up of a gold-hued driver's license featuring his own face.
