Donald Trump’s image looks set to appear on US passports from 2028.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio previewed the new-look, gold-emblazoned document that appears to have the president’s likeness inside the front page before it traverses 250 years of American history.
However, some commercial passport services think this will be a mandatory inclusion.
David Alwadish, founder and CEO of ItsEasy.com, which provides passport and via services, said Trump’s image ‘appears to be non-negotiable’.
Mr Alwadish said: ‘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.’
He also said those who explicitly do not want the president’s image on their passport ‘probably has a narrow window to apply’.
A State Department spokesperson has declined to confirm the redesigned passport would include the president’s image but said: ‘President Trump’s image is featured on the so-called Patriot Passport commemorating America’s 250th anniversary, available while supplies last.’
Rubio’s presentation caused a stir online with some likening the grandeur of it to product launches from tech executives.
The presentation featured typical Trumpian themes: a focus on gold, AI-generated videos spanning American history and, according to Rubio, ‘the most beautiful government checkout I’ve ever seen’.
The announcement came as part of an America.gov event which unveiled an AI website that seeks to make government services like obtaining a passport easier to access.
The 2028 passport will be the first passport that can be obtained completely online using the new America.gov website.