Story perspectives

State Department to Issue Trump Portrait Passports, Sparks Controversy

4/30/2026

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. State Department will issue special-edition passports with President Donald Trump’s portrait and gold signature this summer.
A YouGov poll found 48 % strongly disapproved, with Midwest opposition at 54 %.
The Center for Biological Diversity warned the design may breach a law requiring a photo contest for official passes.
The Commission of Fine Arts approved a gold coin bearing Trump’s likeness despite the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee’s rejection.

History

Historical Context

The 2005 Presidential $1 Coin Act, passed by Congress, required a new reverse for the Lincoln cent after 2009 and authorized a 24-karat gold bullion coin limited to 300,000 pieces. The act also set up a design-approval process involving the U.S. Mint, the Commission of Fine Arts and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee, a framework that later sparked disputes over presidential-portrait dollar coins.

1 of 2

Story summary

The U.S. State Department will issue special-edition passports with President Donald Trump’s portrait and gold signature this summer.
A YouGov poll found 48 % strongly disapproved, with Midwest opposition at 54 %.
The Center for Biological Diversity warned the design may breach a law requiring a photo contest for official passes.
The Commission of Fine Arts approved a gold coin bearing Trump’s likeness despite the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee’s rejection.

1 / 2