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By Lawrence Agbo
President Donald Trump’s photo and gold signature will soon feature in a limited-edition United States passport, marking a major departure from long-standing diplomatic tradition.
The US State Department confirmed on Tuesday that it would release the special passport edition to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence this July, following reports by Fox News and The Bulwark.
Images released with the announcement show Trump’s official portrait superimposed over the Declaration of Independence, with his signature in gold beneath it. Another page features a historic painting of America’s Founding Fathers.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said the commemorative passports would be issued in limited numbers as part of the anniversary celebration.
“As the United States celebrates America’s 250th anniversary in July, the State Department is preparing to release a limited number of specially designed US passports to commemorate this historic occasion,” Pigott wrote on X.
Another State Department official, who spoke anonymously, stated that as long as supplies last and come at no extra cost, Trump-themed passports would only be available in Washington.
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It remains unclear whether applicants would be able to opt out of receiving the special edition.
The move is seen as unusual, as modern passports in democratic countries rarely feature images of sitting leaders, with most nations preferring historical landmarks, national symbols, or nature scenes.
Current US passports include images such as the Apollo moon landing and landmarks like the Statue of Liberty.
Trump has increasingly placed his name and image on federal institutions since returning to office last year.
While officials have also added his name to the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts and the dismantled United States Institute of Peace, several government buildings in Washington now display large banners of the president.
The Treasury Department also announced last month that Trump’s signature would soon appear on the US dollar for the first time.
In contrast, countries like Britain feature the image of King Charles III on their currency, reflecting his role as head of state rather than an active political leader.
