Yes, Donald Trump’s portrait will soon feature in some US passports

Yes, Donald Trump’s portrait will soon feature in some US passports Americas

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04:30

Issued on: 29/04/2026 - 22:08Modified: 29/04/2026 - 22:40

04:30 min Share From the show Reading time 2 min

Since returning to office, Donald Trump has plastered his name, likeness and signature across a series of US government buildings and documents. In the latest on this list, the US State Department announced that to mark the USA’s 250th birthday, it was unveiling a limited-edition “patriot passport” featuring President Trump’s portrait. It's sparked criticism of "megalomania" and "vanity" from US lawmakers and average Americans alike.

These special edition passports are to be issued only in Washington, featuring Trump's portrait on the inside cover, surrounded by the text of the Declaration of Independence and the US flag, with his signature - rendered in gold - underneath.

There are few precedents worldwide - let alone in a democracy - of having the sitting leader's portrait in its citizens' passports.

Currently, US passports depict historical scenes such as the Moon Landing, or famous American symbols like the Liberty Bell or Statue of Liberty. Trump would be the first sitting president to have his image inside Americans' travel documents.

The launch is expected to coincide with the 250th anniversary of American Independence on the Fourth of July, and it's not clear whether Americans will be able to opt out of this special edition.

How have Americans reacted to these commemorative passports?

The announcement sparked heavy criticism from US lawmakers and average Americans alike. Senator of New York Kirsten Gillibrand said Trump is "too busy trying to slap his face on everything to lower costs for working people or end his war in Iran."

Representative for California Mike Levin blasted this as "not patriotism, it is vanity" and multiple lawmakers slammed the move as "megalomania."

California Governor Gavin Newsom - who often spars with Trump - went a step further in his criticism, with his press office sharing a parody California driving license featuring Newsom's own face, as well as an AI-generated passport design featuring Donald Trump and disgraced sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

American citizens also slammed the move and compared Trump to a dictator, saying that "even Castro, Peron, Mussolini or Hitler did such a thing," and pointing out that even North Korea's passport doesn't feature Kim Jong-il.

The latest in Trump's effort to plaster his portrait on institutions and documents

Since returning to office last January, banners of Trump already grace multiple government buildings in the capital, as well as the Kennedy Center and US Institute for Peace both being renamed to feature him. The US Treasury last month announced his signature will soon appear on paper currency, as well as Trump-class battleships announced.

Vedika Bahl goes through what we know about these new passports in Truth or Fake.

By: Vedika BAHL Video by: Vedika BAHL Advertising Related keywords

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