Trending Now - New US Passports to Feature Trump’s Portrait for America250 Celebration

WHO:

CBS News - The State Department is involved in the redesign of U.S. passports.

CNN - Tommy Pigott is a spokesperson for the State Department.

CNN - The Department of the Interior oversees national parks.

WHAT:

CBS News - The State Department will release a limited number of specially designed U.S. passports to commemorate the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, with the exact number of passports to be issued still unspecified.

CNN - The State Department will begin to issue the passports this summer.

The Guardian - The passport is just the latest in Trump’s effort to plaster his face across U.S. institutions and documents, including a banner of the president’s face at the Department of Justice building.

The Guardian - A panel of Trump allies voted to proceed with the project for a 250-foot golden victory arch, referred to as the “Arc de Trump,” which would stand taller than both the U.S. Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial.

CNN - The new passports will be an internationally recognized form of identification, typically valid for 10 years.

The Guardian - The new passport design will include a separate page featuring the famous painting of the founding fathers signing the Declaration of Independence.

The Guardian - A 250-foot golden victory arch, referred to as the “Arc de Trump,” received preliminary approval this month despite overwhelmingly negative public feedback.

The Guardian - The national parks pass for 2026 will feature Trump’s face alongside George Washington’s, under the words “America the beautiful.”

CBS News - The State Department will release a limited number of specially designed U.S. passports to commemorate the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.

The Guardian - The new passports will display Trump’s photograph on the inside cover, surrounded by the text of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. flag, with his signature rendered in gold.

The Guardian - The passports are part of the administration’s “America250” celebrations, which also include a Grand Prix race on the National Mall and a UFC fight on the White House south lawn.

The Guardian - A 250-foot golden victory arch, referred to as the “Arc de Trump,” received preliminary approval this month despite overwhelmingly negative public feedback.

CBS News - The redesigned passports will feature President Trump's portrait and signature over text from the U.S. Declaration of Independence on interior visa pages, marking a departure from traditional passport artwork.

CNN - The presence of Trump’s likeness in the U.S. passports is the latest instance of his image being used for an item commemorating the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.

CBS News - The current "Next Generation" passport includes illustrations of American landscapes and historical events, which will be replaced in the new design.

CBS News - The Treasury Department announced that Trump’s signature will appear on paper currency to honor the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.

CBS News - The U.S. Mint is planning to issue a 24-karat gold commemorative coin featuring Trump’s image.

CBS News - The redesigned passports will not incur any additional fee.

CNN - The back cover of the new passport will show an image from “The Declaration of Independence” painting by John Trumbull.

CNN - The current inside front cover of U.S. passports shows an image of Percy Moran’s painting of Francis Scott Key, which will be replaced in the new design.

CBS News - The State Department is planning a limited-edition redesign of the American passport featuring a portrait of President Trump.

CNN - The new passports will include an image of President Trump and his signature in gold on the inside cover.

CBS News - The redesigned passports will feature text from the U.S. Declaration of Independence on interior visa pages.

CBS News - An initial report suggested that 25,000 copies of the new passports would be issued, but a department official called that figure "fake news."

CNN - The State Department will begin issuing the new passports this summer.

WHERE:

CBS News - The redesigned versions will be the default passport option at the Washington Passport Agency.

WHEN:

CBS News - The new passport design will coincide with the nation's 250th anniversary in July.

CNN - The State Department will begin to issue the passports this summer.

WHY:

The Guardian - The passports are part of the administration’s “America250” celebrations, which also include a Grand Prix race on the National Mall and a UFC fight on the White House south lawn.

The Guardian - The passports are intended to commemorate the historic occasion of America's 250th anniversary of independence.

CNN - The new passport design is part of a broader initiative to commemorate the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, which includes other items like park passes and a commemorative coin featuring Trump’s likeness.

CBS News - The redesign is to commemorate the historic occasion of America's 250th anniversary.

HOW:

CBS News - The new passports will feature customized artwork and enhanced imagery while maintaining the same security features that make the U.S. passport among the most secure documents in the world.

CBS News - The new passports will maintain the same security features as current U.S. passports while featuring customized artwork and enhanced imagery.

(UPDATED April 29, 2026 11:26 UTC)

The State Department will begin issuing a limited number of specially designed U.S. passports this summer to commemorate the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, although the exact number has not been specified. In addition, a panel of Trump allies has voted to move forward with a project for a massive 250-foot golden victory arch, known as the "Arc de Trump," which is set to stand taller than both the U.S. Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial. This passport initiative is part of Trump’s ongoing efforts to feature his image prominently across various U.S. institutions and documents.

(UPDATED April 29, 2026 07:41 UTC)

The State Department is set to release a limited number of specially designed U.S. passports to commemorate the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, although the exact number has not yet been specified. These new passports will be valid for ten years and will feature a separate page showcasing the iconic painting of the founding fathers signing the Declaration of Independence. In addition to the passports, the administration's “America250” celebrations will include a Grand Prix race on the National Mall and a UFC fight on the White House south lawn.

(UPDATED April 29, 2026 04:11 UTC)

The State Department is set to release a limited number of specially designed U.S. passports to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence, featuring Trump’s photograph on the inside cover along with the Declaration of Independence text and his signature in gold. This initiative is part of the administration’s “America250” celebrations, which will also include a Grand Prix race on the National Mall and a UFC fight on the White House south lawn. Additionally, a 250-foot golden victory arch, known as the “Arc de Trump,” has received preliminary approval this month despite facing overwhelmingly negative public feedback.

(UPDATED April 29, 2026 01:29 UTC)

The redesigned U.S. passports will now feature President Trump's portrait and signature alongside text from the Declaration of Independence, marking a significant change from the traditional artwork that typically adorns these documents. This update is part of a broader celebration for the upcoming 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, which will also see Trump's likeness on paper currency and a 24-karat gold commemorative coin. The current passport design, which includes illustrations of American landscapes and historical events, will be replaced with this new design that emphasizes Trump's image.

(UPDATED April 28, 2026 23:16 UTC)

The U.S. is set to unveil redesigned passports that will feature customized artwork and enhanced imagery, all while keeping the same high security standards that make them some of the most secure documents globally. Notably, the back cover will showcase an image from John Trumbull's painting of "The Declaration of Independence," replacing the current front cover image of Francis Scott Key by Percy Moran. This new design is part of a broader initiative to celebrate the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, which will also include park passes and a commemorative coin featuring Trump’s likeness, and there will be no additional fee for the new passports.

(UPDATED April 28, 2026 21:19 UTC)

The State Department is set to redesign U.S. passports to commemorate America's 250th anniversary, featuring a portrait of Trump and his signature in gold on the inside cover. The new passports will also include text from the U.S. Declaration of Independence on the interior visa pages, while maintaining the same security features as current passports. Issuance of these limited-edition passports will begin this summer at the Washington Passport Agency.