Yes, Trump's portrait will soon feature in some US passports
Issued on: 29/04/2026
TRUTH OR FAKE © FRANCE 24
04:30 min From the show
Since returning to office, US President Donald Trump has plastered his name, likeness and signature across a series of US government buildings and documents. The US State Department has now announced that to mark the US's 250th birthday, it is unveiling a limited-edition "patriot passport" featuring Trump's portrait. The announcement has 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 July 4, 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. New York Senator 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."
California Representative 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 not "even Castro, Peron, Mussolini or Hitler did such a thing" and pointing out that even North Korea's passport doesn't feature longtime leader Kim Jong Il.
Latest in Trump's efforts to plaster his portrait on institutions and documents
Since his return 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 announced last month that his signature will soon appear on paper currency, with Trump-class battleships also announced.
Vedika Bahl goes through what we know about these new passports in Truth or Fake.
04:30 min From the show
Since returning to office, US President Donald Trump has plastered his name, likeness and signature across a series of US government buildings and documents. The US State Department has now announced that to mark the US's 250th birthday, it is unveiling a limited-edition "patriot passport" featuring Trump's portrait. The announcement has 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 July 4, 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. New York Senator 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."
California Representative 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 not "even Castro, Peron, Mussolini or Hitler did such a thing" and pointing out that even North Korea's passport doesn't feature longtime leader Kim Jong Il.
Latest in Trump's efforts to plaster his portrait on institutions and documents
Since his return 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 announced last month that his signature will soon appear on paper currency, with Trump-class battleships also announced.
Vedika Bahl goes through what we know about these new passports in Truth or Fake.
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