Trump’s commemorative Social Security card comes with the ‘Freedom 250’ logo

Everyone has encountered unnecessary company swag—from branded pens to an endless supply of canvas tote bags. But babies born July 2 through the end of the year may receive a surprising branded moment: a Freedom 250 Social Security card. At a glance, the commemorative card, rolled out as part of the U.S.’s 250th anniversary celebration, looks like any regular Social Security card. But upon close inspection, the limited-edition version features the logo of Freedom 250—a public-private organization the Trump administration established to help with the semiquincentennial programming—in one of its corners. While it may seem just a patriotic gesture and a chance at a special keepsake for some, the decision is bringing attention to Freedom 250 and its logo, which has become a political flashpoint. Contrary to what some think, Freedom 250 is not an official commission tasked with overseeing the country’s anniversary celebrations—that would be the nonprofit America 250 Foundation. Instead, Freedom 250 is merely a so-called nonpartisan nonprofit that has taken over the stage as the celebration’s main organizer. Freedom 250’s spectacles have included the Great American State Fair, which drew a lower turnout than anticipated, and UFC Freedom 250 fights hosted on the White House’s South Lawn. Its logo has turned up in a number of other places. Notably, IndyCar—the partner for the Freedom 250–sponsored street race in D.C.—released controversial merch that included the nonprofit’s logo. Bearing the phrase “One Nation, One Race,” the design was quickly called out for its racist implications and taken down from IndyCar’s online store. The organization’s vetting for its licensed use of the logo and its relationship to national celebrations has been called into question, particularly by a recent congressional investigation. “[That] an approved, cobranded product reached the public at all is evidence that Freedom 250’s licens