Donald Trump unveils limited-edition US passport featuring his portrait for 250th anniversary

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Donald Trump has become the first sitting US president to feature on an American passport, unveiling a limited-edition “Patrioten-Pass” to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States’ Declaration of Independence. The new travel document, which will be available from 1 July 2026, displays Trump’s stern portrait in the oval office beneath a facsimile of the original 1776 parchment . The White House framed the design as a tribute to American patriotism, while critics called it an unprecedented act of self-promotion.
The passport’s cover carries the bilingual motto “Welcome, but behave!”—a phrase Trump has used in diplomatic settings—printed in English and German . Austrian and German outlets noted the slogan’s unusual appearance on a US travel document, with *Der Standard* reporting that the State Department had not publicly commented on the decision . Estonian media likewise highlighted the novelty, quoting the presidential office’s announcement that the passport would be issued to commemorate the anniversary .
Trump’s announcement coincided with broader controversies over his leadership. On Friday, he threatened 100% tariffs on any country that adopts a digital-services tax targeting American firms, declaring the levy would override existing trade agreements immediately upon implementation . The warning followed similar threats reported earlier in the day by Turkish and Indian outlets .
Domestically, Trump escalated his rhetoric against progressive Democrats, telling the Faith & Freedom Coalition that left-wing victories in New York primaries posed “the most serious threat to our country since its existence” . The conference, held on 27 June 2026, also featured former national security adviser John Bolton, who pleaded guilty to mishandling classified information in a separate court filing .
International observers reacted with bemusement. French newspaper *Libération* reported that a Texas-based firm, backed by Trump-aligned networks, plans exploratory oil drilling in Greenland this autumn despite a moratorium, underscoring the administration’s resource-driven foreign policy . Swedish and Slovenian outlets likewise lampooned the passport design, with *Aftonbladet* describing it as emblematic of Trump’s “macho” political style .
The State Department has not indicated whether the image will appear on standard-issue passports. For now, the limited-edition document stands as a singular artifact of Trump’s presidency—one that critics argue blurs the line between national symbol and personal branding.
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![Trumps "communist" midterm message President Trump needs a potent message to reverse his partys bleak midterm outlook — and hes found it in the rise of democratic socialists in New York and beyond.Why it matters: In a blistering speech to religious conservatives on Friday, Trump warned that "communists" are taking over the Democratic Party and "they want to completely destroy the traditional American way of life."Afterward, Faith & Freedom Coalition Chairman Ralph Reed, a close ally of the president, told reporters that Trumps words were intentional and had the makings of a Republican message for the midterms.The big picture: Trump spent much of his speech at the coalitions annual "Road to Majority" conference railing against the far-left victories.He joked that hed be the "greatest communist in history" — by giving everyone free rent, free food, free everything. "The problem is, after two or three years the country is a disaster area," Trump said."The Democrat Party is in big trouble, because this isnt stopping with New York," he went on. "This is the most serious threat to our country in its existence, in my opinion."Reality check: Reed, a seasoned political operator going back to the 1990s, was blunt about the GOPs prospects in the election even as he praised Trumps performance.The enthusiasm gap between Democrats and Republicans, he said, is 11 to 14 points. "Anything above 10 points is a 3-alarm fire," he said."Thats the bad news. The good news is its June," Reed added. "If we do our job and [voters] understand theres a contrast between common sense and crazy, it will definitely change these numbers."The bottom line: A referendum on Trump is a losing proposition for Republicans. They know they need to make it a choice.](https://images.axios.com/YgAVmkJHO-L9RGR8aVLBtHArDf8=/0x0:5601x3151/1366x768/2026/06/26/1782510017689.jpeg)




