Secretary of State Marco Rubio has unveiled a gold-trimmed, limited-edition US passport celebrating America’s 250th anniversary that includes Donald Trump’s portrait, while a separate, broader redesign of the standard US passport is also expected around 2028.
A new commemorative US passport featuring Donald Trump’s image is set to be issued to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has confirmed. The so-called “Patriot Passport” was previewed as part of a wider presentation unveiling a redesigned document that traces 250 years of American history, alongside a new government website intended to simplify the application process. While Trump’s portrait has been confirmed on this limited-edition passport, it remains unclear whether a standalone image of the president will appear on every standard US passport issued from 2028 onwards.
The Patriot Passport
According to a State Department spokesperson, President Trump’s image is featured on the Patriot Passport, which the spokesperson described as commemorating “America’s 250th anniversary, available while supplies last.” The spokesperson stopped short of confirming that the image would appear on the redesigned standard passport more broadly.
The commemorative document is limited to 250,000 copies, marking it out as a special-edition release rather than a replacement for the ordinary US passport. Trump’s portrait appears on the inside front cover, alongside imagery from the Declaration of Independence, an American flag and the president’s signature. Unlike standard passport applications, the Patriot Passport cannot be obtained through the usual online process; applicants must apply in person at designated passport agencies or at special anniversary events.
Industry reaction
David Alwadish, founder and chief executive of passport and visa service ItsEasy.com, said Trump’s inclusion on the commemorative document “appears to be non-negotiable.” He suggested that the political landscape could determine how long the design remains in circulation, saying: “My gut feeling is that the party in power in the next presidential term will determine whether this new Trump photo is short-lived or limited edition.” Alwadish also advised that anyone who specifically wishes to avoid having the president’s image on their passport “probably has a narrow window to apply,” given the limited run of the commemorative edition.
A separate redesign for the standard passport
Beyond the Patriot Passport, a broader redesign of the standard US passport is also expected to launch around 2028. This new standard document is set to feature a larger gold Great Seal and updated interior artwork, including an eagle design intended to create an animated effect as the pages are turned. The familiar dark-blue exterior cover is expected to remain unchanged. The redesigned standard passport is also expected to expand to 38 pages, replacing the current standard 26-page and larger 50-page versions currently in circulation. The present generation of US passports has been in use since 2021.
Americans holding existing passports will not be required to replace them simply because a new design has entered circulation; current passports will remain valid until their existing expiration dates.
A wider digital overhaul
The announcement formed part of a broader America.gov event, which also unveiled a new AI-powered government services website designed to make processes such as passport applications easier to navigate. Rubio’s presentation, which drew comparisons online to the style of major tech product launches, featured recurring themes including gold detailing, AI-generated videos illustrating American history, and what Rubio described as “the most beautiful government checkout I’ve ever seen.”
According to the announcement, the 2028 passport will be the first that can be obtained entirely online through the new America.gov platform. The system is expected to increasingly allow first-time applicants to complete the full process digitally, including submitting photographs and tracking the progress of their applications, with America.gov ultimately intended to function as a broader digital hub for government services rather than a platform limited solely to passport applications.
