Americans nationwide will soon have access to limited-edition U.S. passports showcasing President Donald Trump’s picture, celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. The State Department has announced that its 27 passport agencies across the country will begin issuing these unique travel documents next month. Previously available only in Washington, D.C., these special passports mark the first time a living president features inside a U.S. passport.
The initiative reflects a trend of attaching Trump’s name and image to various official items and locations. His likeness appears on a commemorative coin by the U.S. Mint, celebrating the nation’s founding, and efforts are underway to add his signature to new U.S. currency—a first for a sitting president. The State Department, responding to high demand, plans to release an additional 250,000 ‘Patriot Passports.’
Special one-day events to acquire the Patriot Passport will begin on August 8 at select passport offices in Centennial, Colorado; Chicago; Dallas; Detroit; New Orleans; New York; and Stamford, Connecticut, with more offices joining throughout the month. Applicants must apply in-person on designated days, separate from those seeking regular passports.
The commemorative document includes Trump’s portrait over a gold print of his signature inside, while its cover design alters the current standard by displaying “United States of America” in gold at the top and “Passport” at the bottom. The back cover features a small gold laminate American flag encircled by stars with the number 250.
Current passports portray historical figures on Mount Rushmore—George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln—and include images like the Statue of Liberty and Independence Hall, as well as notable quotes from figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Presidents Washington, Jefferson, and Roosevelt, alongside John F. Kennedy and Dwight Eisenhower.
Adding Trump’s image and signature continues the trend of raising his profile, including initiatives to add his name to significant venues such as the U.S. Institute of Peace and the Kennedy Center. However, some signage faced judicial challenges. Additionally, plans for a new White House ballroom and an arch at Washington’s Virginia entrance have caught public attention.