US gets new ‘patriotic passport’ with Trump image: ‘Welcome, but be good’ amid 250th anniversary of independence | Today’s news
President Donald Trump on Friday unveiled a rendition of a limited-edition U.S. passport created to commemorate the country’s 250th anniversary of independence featuring his own portrait.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump shared the passport design, writing: “A new US passport that says, ‘Welcome, but be good!'”
The mock-up shows a serious-looking Trump sitting at a desk next to his signature with the text of the Declaration of Independence in the background. The image appears to be based on a portrait taken by White House photographer Daniel Torok.
The reverse features an illustration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, accompanied by the words “United States of America 250”.
The White House also shared the same look of the passport on social media, describing it as “PATRIOT PASSPORT”.
The Foreign Office, which previously announced that a commemorative passport featuring “bespoke artwork” would be available from July 6, had no immediate comment on the latest development.
In April, a State Department official said the Trump-themed passports would only be offered through in-person meetings in Washington and only “while available.”
Trump has increasingly sought to leave his personal imprint on government institutions. Banners featuring the president were displayed outside several federal buildings, while the Treasury Department said his signature would soon appear on the one-dollar bill.
He also sought to add his name to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, although a court later ruled that it should be removed.
A State Department official previously told Fox News Digital that the new passport designs will be available to “any U.S. citizen” applying for a passport during the rollout and will be available while supplies last.
Trump’s announcement on social media comes as the United States has introduced stricter screening measures for foreign visitors that require tourists and other non-immigrants to obey US laws and respect the country’s institutions.
The expanded vetting coincides with the 2026 World Cup, which has drawn hundreds of thousands of international visitors to the United States for the tournament, which ends in July.
If implemented, Trump would become the first sitting US president to be featured on US passports.
Netizens react
One of X’s users said, “How long will it take?” Another commented: “I want a renewal, how do I specify to get one of these?” “Thank goodness I’ve already renewed mine”, “Thank goodness mine won’t be renewed anytime soon” were some of the other comments. A user asked: “Would there be an option for Trump not to be there?”
“Wonderful. I hope this is a new design going forward and not just for the 250th anniversary this year. I’ll be renewing mine next year and what’s better,” said another user on X. The user quipped, “I literally renewed like a year ago… might have to see if I can do it again now…”
