Treasury Secretary Shows Proposed $250 Bill Featuring President Trump for 250th Anniversary, Awaiting Congressional Approval
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent displayed a draft of a proposed $250 banknote bearing President Donald Trump’s portrait during a press briefing in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. The initiative is part of the Trump administration’s efforts to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States, though current law prohibits featuring living individuals on currency. Bessent indicated the administration has prepared designs in advance but will defer to Congress on any legislative changes.
Proposed Design and Legal Hurdles
Secretary Bessent held up a mock-up of the $250 note during the briefing, which was photographed by Kent Nishimura of AFP via Getty Images. Under existing U.S. law, no living president may appear on currency. The administration is anticipating that Congress may pass legislation authorizing a special Trump bill. “It’s all in the hands of… Capitol Hill,” Bessent told reporters. “We prepared things in advance… but we will stick to the law.” He added that he saw nothing “untoward” about featuring the president in office during the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Congressional Action and Reporting
Last year, Republican Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina introduced a bill requiring the Treasury Department to print $250 notes with Trump’s portrait, though the legislation has not yet been taken up for consideration. The Washington Post reported that two Trump political appointees began urging the creation of drafts for the new $250 note, including mocking up the president’s likeness. Bessent used a copy of the Post’s story as a prop while briefing White House reporters on Thursday.
Historical Precedent
If Congress changes the law to allow the Trump $250 bill, the president would become the first living person to appear on U.S. currency since 1866. Trump has already made history regarding his image on money. Earlier this year, the Treasury Department announced that Trump’s signature would appear on all newly printed currency, marking a departure from the longstanding practice of featuring signatures from the treasury secretary and the treasurer.
Broader Branding and Commemorative Initiatives
The proposed banknote is part of a larger trend of Trump placing his mark on government buildings, institutions, and materials, some of which are intended to commemorate America’s 250th birthday. Other potential initiatives include a new commemorative passport featuring Trump’s face, a commemorative coin, and a National Parks pass. In Washington, D.C., Trump’s face is displayed on a banner over the Justice Department. His name has been added to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the U.S. Institute of Peace. The administration has also named policy initiatives—such as the Trump Accounts—after the president, who was known during his business career for prolific self-branding.
Context: The proposal follows a pattern of presidential efforts to place their image on commemorative items, such as when President Ronald Reagan appeared on the 1984 Olympic gold coin. However, no living president has been depicted on U.S. paper currency since the Treasury Department stopped issuing notes with portraits of living figures in the 19th century.