Newsom mocks Trump passport portrait with ‘very handsome’ California driver’s license
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Governor Gavin Newsom’s press office on Tuesday, April 28, released a satirical California driver's license featuring a 'handsome' portrait of the Governor to mock President Trump’s new commemorative US passports.
The parody follows the White House's announcement of a limited-edition 250th-anniversary passport that features Trump’s portrait and his signature in gold.
IN HONOR OF CALIFORNIA’S 175TH ANNIVERSARY, WE WILL BE ROLLING OUT A VERY SPECIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE FOR EVERY CALIFORNIAN THIS SUMMER! IT WILL FEATURE A HANDSOME, HIGH-QUALITY PHOTO OF ME, GAVIN C. NEWSOM. MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING IT’S THE BEST LICENSE EVER MADE IN THE HISTORY OF… pic.twitter.com/svCAc9oNkw
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) April 29, 2026
Gavin Newsom trolls Trump’s 250th anniversary passport
In a social media post from the Governor's Press Office account, Newsom wrote in the style of Trump's signature all-caps rhetoric to announce the fake document.
The mock-up license replaces the standard ID photo with a professional, smiling portrait of Newsom against a scenic California mountain backdrop.
The post stated, "IN HONOR OF CALIFORNIA'S 175TH ANNIVERSARY, WE WILL BE ROLLING OUT A VERY SPECIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE FOR EVERY CALIFORNIAN THIS SUMMER! IT WILL FEATURE A HANDSOME, HIGH-QUALITY PHOTO OF ME, GAVIN C. NEWSOM."
The mock continued by adopting the style frequently used by the President in his own social media messages.
The caption concluded, "MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING IT'S THE BEST LICENSE EVER MADE IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD. THIS IS ABOUT CELEBRATING OUR BEAUTIFUL STATE (IT IS NOT ABOUT ME, DESPITE THE VERY HANDSOME PHOTO!). ENJOY! – GOVERNOR GCN."
Although the California license is a digital-only mock-up and not a valid government document being issued to residents, the stunt marks the latest escalation in the public feud between the Governor and the Trump administration.
🇺🇸 https://t.co/BkbO8DAhFz pic.twitter.com/QY4tGjmJLu
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 28, 2026
Commemorative passport details
Unlike Newsom's parody, the White House has confirmed that the commemorative 250th-anniversary passport is a real document.
The special edition features the President’s portrait over the text of the Declaration of Independence, with his signature embossed in gold.
Furthermore, the exterior of the passport has been slightly modified, with the "United States of America" text enlarged at the top of the front cover.
The back cover pays homage to history with a 1777-style flag featuring 13 stars surrounding the number "250."
These passports are expected to launch this summer alongside nationwide anniversary events as the United States approaches its semiquincentennial in 2026.
According to the administration, these limited-edition passports will be available to "any American citizen" who applies for them or renews their existing travel documents during the celebratory period.
"President Trump's new patriotic passport design provides yet another great way Americans can join in the spectacular celebrations for America's 250th birthday," a spokesperson for the White House told the BBC.
