In the heart of America’s polarized landscape, a new phenomenon has emerged, etching itself onto skin and sparking debate: the TRUMP100 tattoo. It’s not just ink—it’s a bold, permanent declaration tied to Donald Trump’s latest political push, and it’s got people talking, from small-town barbershops to urban newsrooms. These tattoos, popping up across the country in April 2025, are more than body art. They’re a symbol, a loyalty test, and, for some, a legal headache.
The TRUMP100 tattoos stem from an official campaign announcement made on April 10, 2025, when Trump’s team unveiled the “TRUMP100” initiative. Billed as a grassroots movement to mark Trump’s 100th year of influence—counting from his birth in 1946—the campaign encouraged supporters to show their allegiance in permanent ink. The design? A stylized “TRUMP100” logo, often paired with an American flag or eagle, meant to celebrate Trump’s enduring legacy. Campaign materials, distributed through Trump’s Save America PAC, offered tattoo parlors free stencils and promised “exclusive recognition” for those who got inked. By April 15, parlors in states like Florida, Texas, and Ohio reported lines out the door.
But the ink’s barely dried, and trouble’s brewing. On April 16, the Federal Election Commission raised a red flag. In a public memo, the FEC questioned whether the tattoo campaign violated election laws, specifically rules on coordinated expenditures. The concern? Tattoo parlors offering free or discounted TRUMP100 designs could be seen as in-kind contributions to Trump’s 2028 campaign, which he’s heavily hinting at. The memo didn’t mince words: any parlor linked to the campaign could face fines. By April 20, several shops in battleground states pulled the stencils, citing legal risks.
The tattoos aren’t just a legal gray area—they’re a cultural lightning rod. In Chicago, a city council meeting on April 22 turned chaotic when a local ordinance was proposed to ban “politically charged” tattoos in public spaces, citing TRUMP100 as the catalyst. The measure, which failed, came after reports of workplace disputes over visible tattoos. A major news outlet reported on April 18 that a Dallas-based tech firm fired an employee for refusing to cover his TRUMP100 ink during a client meeting. The employee’s now suing, claiming discrimination.
Numbers are hard to pin down, but tattoo industry insiders estimate thousands have gotten the TRUMP100 design since the campaign’s launch. A trade group’s April 25 statement noted a 30% spike in political tattoos nationwide, with TRUMP100 leading the pack. Not everyone’s a fan, though. In Seattle, a parlor owner was quoted on April 19 saying he’d turned away dozens of requests, calling the trend “divisive.” Meanwhile, Trump’s team doubled down, releasing a statement on April 23 praising supporters for their “unshakable commitment.”
The tattoos have even caught the eye of law enforcement. On April 21, a Department of Homeland Security bulletin warned of potential “flashpoints” at tattoo parlors hosting TRUMP100 events, citing risks of protests or clashes. No violence has been reported, but the bulletin noted heightened online chatter about the tattoos as a “loyalty marker” for Trump’s base.
As April 2025 closes, the TRUMP100 tattoos remain a flashpoint. They’re etched on arms, backs, and necks, a permanent reminder of a campaign that’s as polarizing as the man behind it. The FEC’s investigation is ongoing, with a hearing set for May 10. Trump’s team, undeterred, plans a tattoo showcase at a June rally in Miami. For now, the ink flows, and so does the controversy.