Trump Administration Pushes for $250 Bill Featuring His Face
The Trump administration is pressing to create a $250 bill featuring President Donald Trump’s portrait for the U.S. 250th anniversary, despite a 1866 law banning living people on currency. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed preparatory steps, but congressional approval is needed. Prototypes have been produced, and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing’s director was reassigned after raising legal concerns. The effort is part of broader Trump-branded commemorative projects.
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Trump proposes $250 bill with his portrait for 250th anniversary
President Donald Trump has proposed issuing a new $250 bill featuring his own portrait to commemorate the United States' 250th anniversary. However, current federal law prohibits printing currency with the image of a living person. To proceed, Congress would need to pass new legislation to override this restriction. The proposal, reported by The Hill, highlights a potential political and legislative challenge, as the Treasury Department typically honors historical figures on U.S. currency. The idea has sparked debate over the appropriateness of placing a sitting president on a bill, especially given the legal barrier. No official bill or legislative action has been introduced yet, but the announcement signals a potential push for a commemorative note ahead of the nation's semiquincentennial in 2026.
Just In NewsTreasury pushes for $250 bill featuring Trump’s face
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the department has prepared a mockup of a $250 bill featuring President Donald Trump's portrait, despite a 1866 law prohibiting living persons from appearing on U.S. currency. Bessent stated they will follow the law but are ready if Congress passes legislation authorizing the banknote. Representative Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) introduced the 'Donald J. Trump $250 Bill Act,' which has stalled since February 2025. Additionally, Trump has advocated for a $1 coin bearing his image and is having his signature added to U.S. currency this year as part of efforts to honor himself during the nation's 250th birthday celebrations. New banknotes typically require over a decade to design and produce, with extensive coordination with the Federal Reserve and Secret Service for security features.
TheWeek feedTreasury Secretary Confirms Prepared Design for $250 Bill Featuring Trump
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed on May 29, 2026, that the Treasury Department has prepared a design for a $250 bill featuring President Donald Trump, anticipating stalled legislation in Congress. Bessent stated that authorizing the new currency is up to lawmakers, but the department created the bill to be prepared. The legislation, introduced by Representative Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), would create an exception to the law barring living persons from appearing on U.S. currency, allowing current and former presidents. The design reportedly includes Trump's portrait, his signature, and a 250th anniversary logo. The Washington Post reported that U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach pushed the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to expedite the process, leading to the reassignment of former BEP chief Patricia Solimene after she resisted. The move is part of broader efforts by the Trump administration to place the president's name and likeness on official commemorations of the nation's 250th anniversary.
Fortune | FORTUNETreasury Department Prepared to Print $250 Bill with Trump's Face if Law Changes
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on May 28, 2026, that his department is prepared to print a $250 bill featuring President Donald Trump's likeness to commemorate the US's 250th birthday, contingent on legislation changing current law. Current US law, stemming from the 1866 Thayer Amendment, prohibits living individuals from appearing on currency. A bill introduced in February by Rep. Joe Wilson would create an exemption for former presidents. Bessent stated he sees nothing inappropriate about the proposal. Trump's signature is already set to appear on future currency, and his likeness is featured on commemorative coins and a $1 million gold card visa. The Treasury Department did not respond to requests for comment.
All Content from Business InsiderTrump Administration Discusses $250 Bill with President's Portrait
The Trump administration has been holding internal talks about creating a new $250 bill featuring President Donald Trump's portrait, according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Bessent confirmed that plans are in development, but noted that the proposal would require Congress to change current law, which prohibits living individuals from appearing on U.S. currency. The idea, reported by the Wall Street Journal, represents a significant departure from tradition and would need legislative approval to move forward. No formal timeline or legislative proposal has been announced.
WSJ.com: PoliticsBessent Confirms Treasury Taking Steps for Trump $250 Bill, Requires Congressional Approval
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed on May 28, 2026, that the Treasury Department is taking preparatory steps to print President Donald Trump's face on a new $250 bill, though he downplayed a Washington Post report about pressure on the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Bessent stated the move is a preparatory measure in case Congress passes legislation authorizing an exception to U.S. law, which currently prohibits living persons from appearing on currency. A bill introduced by Rep. Joe Wilson in February 2025 remains stalled in committee. The article notes that British painter Iain Alexander designed a mock-up with Trump's involvement, and that the Bureau's director of printing, Patricia Solimene, was reassigned after raising legal concerns. The $250 bill is part of a series of Trump-themed commemorative projects for the U.S. 250th anniversary, including a $100 bill with Trump's signature, a $1 gold coin, and limited-edition passports.
Forbes - BusinessU.S. Treasury Officials Propose $250 Note Featuring President Trump
U.S. Treasury officials, including Treasurer Brandon Beach, have proposed creating a $250 currency note featuring President Donald Trump to commemorate the nation's 250th anniversary. According to U.S. federal law, only deceased persons can appear on currency, so Congress would need to pass a new law to allow Trump's portrait. Prototypes have been prepared, and a draft law was introduced last year. The move coincides with plans for a gold coin featuring Trump and the inclusion of his signature on dollar bills. The Treasury Department stated it is conducting due diligence in response to the proposed legislation.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Trump Team Pushes for $250 Bill Featuring His Face, Despite Legal Ban
According to a Washington Post report, U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach and senior adviser Mike Brown have been pressuring the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to produce prototypes of a $250 bill bearing President Trump's name and face. This effort violates a 1866 law prohibiting living people on U.S. currency. The bureau's printing director, Patricia Solimene, was reassigned after explaining the legal and procedural obstacles, which would take years to overcome. British painter Iain Alexander, who designed mock-ups, said Trump suggested adding red, white, and blue colors and a 250th anniversary logo. A bill to allow Trump on currency has stalled in Congress. The report frames this as part of a broader pattern of Trump placing his name and image on federal buildings, passports, and other national symbols during his second term.
The New RepublicTrump Pushes for $250 Bill Featuring His Face, Despite Legal Ban
President Trump is seeking to place his face on a new $250 bill, according to a Washington Post report. U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach and senior adviser Mike Brown have been pressuring staff at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to produce prototypes. British painter Iain Alexander, who designed mock-ups, said Trump requested red, white, and blue colors and a logo for the nation's 250th anniversary. However, U.S. law has prohibited living people from appearing on currency since 1866. A bill to allow Trump's face on the $250 bill was introduced last year but has stalled in Congress. The bureau's printing director, Patricia Solimene, was reassigned after explaining the legal and procedural obstacles, which she said would take years to overcome. The article frames this as part of a broader pattern of Trump branding federal property during his second term, including buildings, passports, and a proposed battleship class.
The New RepublicTrump Team Pushes for $250 Bill Featuring His Face, Despite Legal Ban
According to a Washington Post report, U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach and senior adviser Mike Brown have been pressuring staff at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to produce prototypes of a $250 bill bearing President Trump's name and face. This effort violates a U.S. law dating back to 1866 that prohibits placing living people on currency. The bureau's printing director, Patricia Solimene, was reassigned after explaining the legal and procedural obstacles, which would take years to overcome. A British painter, Iain Alexander, confirmed Trump personally suggested design changes including red, white, and blue colors and a logo for the nation's 250th anniversary. A bill to allow Trump's face on currency was introduced in Congress but has stalled. The article frames this as part of a broader pattern of Trump branding federal property during his second term, including buildings, passports, and proposed monuments.
The New Republic