From Passes to Passports: How Trump's Name and Image Spread Across Government in His Second Term

Since returning to the White House for a second, nonconsecutive term, President Donald J. Trump and his allies have placed his name and likeness on an expanding range of federal programs, public buildings, commemorative items and local infrastructure. Many of these moves were driven by administration actions, Trump-appointed boards, or state lawmakers and have prompted lawsuits, legislative attention, and public debate.

Timeline Of Notable Changes

May 2025 — Banners On Federal Buildings

Large banners featuring President Trump began appearing on federal buildings in Washington, D.C., starting in May 2025. The U.S. Department of Agriculture displayed one on May 26; banners with the president's portrait have also been observed at the Departments of Justice, the Interior and Labor.

December 2025 — Trump On The America The Beautiful Pass

The Department of the Interior announced the 2026 America the Beautiful annual pass would feature Trump's official White House portrait alongside George Washington. The pass offers access to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by federal agencies. The Center for Biological Diversity sued, arguing the statute requires the pass to display the winning photo from the National Parks Foundation's annual contest; the case remains pending with House Democrats later seeking to intervene.

December 2025 — United States Institute Of Peace Renamed

State Department signage was updated to read "Donald J. Trump United States Institute of Peace," with officials saying the change reflected the President's commitment to diplomacy. Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly praised the change; Rubio's precise role in prompting the renaming has not been independently confirmed.

December 2025 — "Trump-Class" Navy Ships Proposed

The White House defense budget proposal for FY2027 included about $65.8 billion for a "Golden Fleet" initiative and a new class of ships dubbed the "Trump-class," with a planned lead vessel, the USS Defiant, projected for procurement in 2028 at an estimated cost exceeding $17 billion.

December 2025 — Kennedy Center Renaming And Court Reversal

The Kennedy Center's Trump-appointed board voted to add Trump's name to the institution's formal title. Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty sued, arguing that only Congress may change the Kennedy Center's name; in May 2026 Judge Christopher R. Cooper ordered Trump's name removed, ruling that Congress retains that authority.

December 2025 — Trump Gold Card (Residence-By-Investment)

By executive order, the administration created the Trump Gold Card, a residence-by-investment pathway that promises an expedited path to citizenship in exchange for a $1 million gift to the Department of Commerce and a $15,000 DHS processing fee. The program has not been enacted by Congress; reporting through May 2026 indicated hundreds of applications and scores of paid processing fees.

January 2026 — Trump Route For International Peace And Prosperity

Following a White House–brokered August 2025 agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the administration and Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a new transit corridor and related economic measures named the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity."

January 2026 — Local Renamings In Florida

Florida lawmakers approved renaming a four-mile stretch of Southern Boulevard leading to Mar-a-Lago as "President Donald J. Trump Boulevard," with an unveiling ceremony in January 2026.

February 2026 — TrumpRx.gov

The White House launched TrumpRx.gov, a directory-style platform intended to direct consumers to discounted prescription drugs sold directly by manufacturers. The administration announced agreements with several major drugmakers that it says will lower prices by reducing pharmacy benefit manager involvement.

March–July 2026 — Currency, Coins, And Passports

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Treasury was prepared to add President Trump's signature to paper currency as part of the U.S. semiquincentennial and to mint commemorative $1 coins depicting Trump. Both proposals face statutory and legal questions because U.S. law historically restricts portraits of living persons on specific currency and coins. The State Department also issued limited "Patriot Passports" featuring Trump's portrait for America's 250th anniversary and later expanded the limited run due to demand.

April–July 2026 — Retirement Accounts And "Trump Accounts"

An executive order established an initiative to expand retirement-savings access and created an enrollment platform, TrumpIRA.gov (marked "Coming 2027"). Separately, new federal provisions created "Trump Accounts," investment accounts seeded with $1,000 from the Treasury for children born between 2025 and 2028, with parents allowed to add up to $5,000 per year.

July 2026 — Local Infrastructure Renamings

State actions included renaming an I-40 bridge near Dandridge, Tennessee, and renaming Palm Beach International Airport to President Donald J. Trump International Airport. These changes prompted public ceremonies and incurred estimated costs for signage and rebranding.

Legal And Political Context

Many of these changes have sparked legal challenges or required legislative action. Courts have already reversed at least one high-profile renaming (the Kennedy Center). Treasury and mint proposals to place a living president on currency and coinage have prompted statutory questions and potential litigation. The administration and Trump allies defend the moves as recognition of accomplishments and public demand; critics argue they politicize public institutions and may violate existing law.

What To Watch

• Pending lawsuits over the America the Beautiful pass and commemorative coin designs.
• Any congressional action to change statutes that currently restrict living persons from appearing on currency or to authorize specific new notes or denominations.
• Implementation details and oversight for programs launched by executive action, such as the Trump Gold Card and Trump Accounts.

Quote: "President Trump is focused on saving our country — not garnering recognition," White House spokesman Davis Ingle said. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stressed statutory constraints and legislative requirements regarding currency changes.

A National Park Service ranger at Rocky Mountain National Park shows the new America the Beautiful annual pass featuring President Donald Trump alongside George Washington. Trump is the first sitting president to be featured on the pass, which normally bears a photo of animals or landscapes take on federal land and chosen via a national competition. The new passes went on sale for U.S. residents and citizens as of Jan. 1. Foreign tourists pay a higher price at those parks that charge entrance fees.USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Washington, DC, President Donald Trump's name, added to the United States Institute of Peace building months after Trump tried to dismantle the independent agency.Jim West/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 22: U.S. President Donald Trump announced the creation of the "Trump-class" battleship during a statement to the media at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate on December 22, 2025 in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump announced the new class of ship will become the centerpiece of his "Golden Fleet" program to rebuild and strengthen the U.S. shipbuilding industry.Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 21: A scaffolding with a tarp on it cover the marquee at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts after President Donald Trump's name was removed on July 21, 2026 in Washington, DC.Kevin Carter/Getty Images

WASHINGTON, DC December 19: US President Donald Trump holds up the Trump Gold Card during an announcement regarding lowering drug pricing in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Friday December 19, 2025. US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Medicare and Medicaid Administrator nominee Mehmet Oz, and representatives from various pharmaceutical companies attended the announcement. (Photo by Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images)Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 08: U.S. President Donald Trump (C) joins hands with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev (L) and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan (R) during a signing ceremony in the State Dining Room of the White House on August 8, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump brought the two leaders together in an initial attempt to end the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan that has lasted for decades.Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - JANUARY 16: U.S. President Donald Trump poses for a photo with a sign that reads "President Donald J. Trump Boulevard" during a Road Dedication Ceremony at Mar-a-Lago on January 16, 2026 in Palm Beach, Florida. Florida State lawmakers approved the name change of a portion of Southern Boulevard to "President Donald J. Trump Boulevard."Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

US President Donald Trump speaks to introduce the new TrumpRx website in the South Court Auditorium of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 5, 2026. The TrumpRx.gov website will serve as a central hub to help consumers find discounted prescription drugs by directing them to drugmakers' direct-to-consumer sites.SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

Donald Trump's signature.Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

US President Donald Trump displays a signed executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, April 30, 2026. Trump signed an executive order aimed at expanding access to retirement plans for workers whose employers don't offer that benefit, seeking to refocus the administration's messaging on economic issues. Photographer: Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesBloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Scott Bessent, US treasury secretary, displays an article on the proposed $250 banknote featuring an image of US President Donald Trump during a news conference in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, US on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Bessent said President Trump's three conditions for a deal are for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz, turn over its enriched uranium and not to pursue a nuclear weapon.Bonnie Cash/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images

An illustration of a new coin, featuring U.S. President Donald Trump, released by the Department of Treasury, is seen after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the U.S. Mint would begin striking the new coins in celebration of the nation's 250 years of independence, in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 15, 2026.Department of Treasury/United States Mint/Handout via REUTERS

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 10: A limited edition U.S. Passport featuring U.S. President Donald Trump, on display at the State Department exhibit on the final day of the Great American State Fair on July 10, 2026 in Washington, DC. The State Department began issuing commemorative passports for America's 250th anniversary on July 6, 2026, featuring an image of President Trump and are only available in person with an appointment at the Washington Passport Agency.Al Drago/Getty Images

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 28: U.S. President Donald Trump arrives on stage before delivering remarks during the Treasury Department's Trump Accounts Summit at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on January 28, 2026 in Washington, DC. "Trump Accounts" are a portion of recently passed tax and spending legislation where the federal government will deposit $1,000 into investment accounts for every child born between 2025 and 2028 once parents sign their children up while filing their income taxes.Win McNamee/Getty Images

The sign for the newly renamed President Donald J. Trump bridge is posted along side the roadway Thursday, July 9, 2026, in Dandridge, Tenn.George Walker IV/AP Photo

A new welcome sign reading "Donald J. Trump International Airport" is seen at the airport's main entrance ramp in West Palm Beach, Florida, on July 9, 2026. A Florida airport was renamed after Donald Trump on Thursday, accelerating a push by the US president and supporters to plaster his name and image on everything from national landmarks to banknotes. The Republican leader's son Eric celebrated by landing in the private family Boeing 757 -- so-called "Trump Force One" -- at what had been known as Palm Beach International Airport for nearly half a century.CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images