Trump Unveils Controversial US Passport Featuring His Own Image for America’s 250th Birthday
President Donald Trump has sparked fresh controversy after unveiling a limited-edition United States passport featuring his own likeness as part of celebrations marking America’s 250th anniversary.
The special commemorative passport, announced by the Trump administration, is set to go on sale from July 6 and will only be available while limited supplies last, according to the US State Department.
Trump personally revealed the redesigned passport on social media, sharing images of its interior pages. One of the most striking features is a portrait of the president seated behind the Resolute Desk, fists clenched, with the Declaration of Independence displayed in the background and his signature printed beneath the image.
“The U.S.A.’s New Passport, which says, ‘Welcome, but be good!'” Trump wrote on Truth Social while unveiling the design.
However, observers quickly noted that the phrase “Welcome, but be good!” does not actually appear anywhere on the passport pages shown in the released images.
The White House later reposted the images on X, describing the document as a “Patriot Passport.”
Historic First Raises Eyebrows
The commemorative edition marks what appears to be the first time a sitting US president has been featured inside an official American passport, breaking with decades of tradition.
Current US passports instead showcase iconic moments in American history—including the Apollo 11 Moon landing, the Statue of Liberty, and other national landmarks—rather than living political figures.
The passport was first previewed in April with a slightly different design that featured only Trump’s face, a gold signature and no reference to the country’s 250th anniversary.
Limited Access for Americans
Unlike standard passports, Americans cannot simply apply online or by mail for the commemorative version.
Instead, applicants must book an in-person appointment at the Washington Passport Agency, while a handful of special passport acceptance events are also expected to distribute the collector’s edition.
So far, only two such events have been announced, both taking place in Washington, with officials saying more locations could be added later.
It also remains unclear whether applicants visiting the Washington Passport Agency will have the option of declining the commemorative version in favour of the traditional passport design.
Part of Trump’s Wider Legacy Push
The passport is the latest in a string of initiatives aimed at associating American institutions with Trump’s presidency.
The administration has previously announced plans for a commemorative 250th anniversary gold coin bearing Trump’s image, while the president is also expected to become the first sitting US president to have his signature appear on newly issued American banknotes.
Trump has additionally sought to leave a lasting mark on the nation’s capital through proposals ranging from renaming prominent institutions to constructing a grand “Arc de Trump”—a monument inspired by Paris’ famous Arc de Triomphe.
Supporters have praised the commemorative passport as a patriotic tribute during America’s milestone anniversary celebrations, while critics argue that placing a living president’s image inside an official travel document blurs the line between national symbolism and personal political branding.
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