Trump on a US passport? State Department announces America250 special edition passports to launch before July 4

The US State Department said on Tuesday that it is preparing a limited release of commemorative passports to mark America’s 250th birthday, with a picture of President Donald Trump featured inside the travel document.

The department said Trump would be the first living president to appear in a US passport. Between 25,000 and 30,000 of the special passports will be available at the Washington, DC, passport office beginning shortly before July 4.

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Trump’s portrait, gold signature, and a new cover layout

According to renderings released by the department, Trump’s portrait appears on an interior page opposite an image of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

The design also includes his signature in gold, while the cover carries “United States of America” in bold gold lettering at the top and “Passport” at the bottom, reversing the standard layout. The back cover displays a small gold American flag, encircled by stars and featuring the number 250.

The US State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said the commemorative documents will keep existing protections intact. “These passports will feature customized artwork and enhanced imagery while maintaining the same security features that make the U.S. passport one of the most secure documents in the world,” he said.

Officials said there would be no extra fee for the limited edition passport and that applicants wanting a standard passport can still obtain one online or outside Washington.

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New passport as a patriotic celebration tool

Olivia Wales, a White House spokesperson, said in a statement to NBC News that Trump's “new patriotic passport design provides yet another great way Americans can join in the spectacular celebrations for America’s 250th birthday” and that Trump “continues to proudly lead a renewal of national pride and patriotism during our historic semiquincentennial celebration.”

The commemorative passport is the latest in a series of Trump-related additions to official and government-linked projects, such as coins, dollars, discount drug programs, savings accounts, and proposed warships tied to the semiquincentennial celebrations.