Full Breakdown
New U.S. Passport Design for 2028 May Feature President Trump’s Likeness
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Preview Shows Trump Image Inside Upcoming “Flight of the Eagle” Passport
Secretary of State Marco Rubio unveiled a prototype of the standard U.S. passport slated for issuance in 2028. The interior artwork on the inside cover appears to include a portrait of former President Donald Trump. A State Department spokesperson declined to confirm whether the final version will retain the image, noting only that Trump’s likeness currently appears on the limited-edition “Patriot Passport” released for the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Background & Context: Commemorative “Patriot Passport” and Modernization Efforts
The State Department offers a special “Patriot Passport” that commemorates the 250th anniversary of American independence. This optional passport features Trump’s portrait alongside the Declaration of Independence, a gold-flag emblem, and an image of the Founding Fathers. Applicants must schedule an in-person appointment at one of the more than two dozen passport centers; online or mail-in applications do not receive the commemorative version.
The 2028 redesign, dubbed “Flight of the Eagle,” will expand to 38 pages of artwork chronicling U.S. history—from the Revolution to space exploration—and will include a larger gold seal on the front cover. Flipping through the pages is intended to animate a bald eagle in flight.
Data & Statistics
- Approval rating: A CBS/YouGov poll places former President Trump’s approval at 39 %, lower than his standing before the 2018 midterms and below President Joe Biden’s pre-2022-midterm rating.
- Passport centers: The commemorative passport is available at more than two dozen locations nationwide.
Official Statements & Responses
- Marco Rubio presented the design during a September briefing that also introduced the new AI-driven website America.gov. He described the redesign as part of a broader modernization of passport issuance.
- A State Department spokesperson said the agency could not confirm that Trump’s image will appear in the final standard passport, adding that the portrait is currently featured only on the “Patriot Passport.”
- David Alwadish, founder and CEO of passport-service firm ItsEasy.com, emphasized that the commemorative passport is voluntary and that customers can avoid the Trump image by not requesting it.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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, as it will almost certainly be mandated for change by the next controlling party,” — David Alwadish, ItsEasy
- “No one gets that passport without specially requesting it, so there is no risk of getting that passport unexpectedly,” — David Alwadish, ItsEasy
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Confirmation status: While the prototype shown by Rubio includes Trump’s likeness, the State Department has not officially affirmed that the finished 2028 passport will retain the image.
- Future choice: It remains unclear whether travelers will be able to opt out of a standard passport containing the portrait once the design becomes permanent, or how existing inventory will be managed during the transition.
What’s Next
The redesigned passport is expected to enter production for the 2028 issuance cycle, but the State Department has not announced a definitive rollout schedule or whether an alternative design without the Trump portrait will be offered. Travelers seeking to avoid the image can continue to use the regular online or mail-in application process for the standard passport, which currently does not include the portrait.