Story perspectives

State Dept Issues 250K Trump-Likeness Passports, Sparks Criticism

4/30/2026

Summary

Story summary

State Department will issue 250,000 passports with President Donald Trump’s likeness for the U.S. 250th birthday.
Critics say the limited-edition passport turns a public document into a vanity project.
Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) called the design an overreach and likened it to portrait displays.
White House spokesperson Olivia Wales called the passport patriotic, noting the administration placed Trump’s image on Labor, Justice and Agriculture buildings and a $1 coin.

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Story summary

State Department will issue 250,000 passports with President Donald Trump’s likeness for the U.S. 250th birthday.
Critics say the limited-edition passport turns a public document into a vanity project.
Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) called the design an overreach and likened it to portrait displays.
White House spokesperson Olivia Wales called the passport patriotic, noting the administration placed Trump’s image on Labor, Justice and Agriculture buildings and a $1 coin.