According to an Associated Press report on May 28, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that the Treasury Department has completed a design proposal for a $250 bill featuring President Donald Trump’s portrait, allowing production and issuance to proceed quickly if relevant legislation passes Congress. The plan comes as the United States prepares for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and has once again sparked discussion about Trump’s continued strengthening of personal political symbolism.
Bessent stated at the White House that whether a new currency denomination will ultimately be authorized depends on congressional legislation, but the Treasury “must be prepared in advance.”
“We have prepared in advance,” he said. “We’ve created the bill. Whether it is authorized for issuance is a decision for Capitol Hill.”
Bill promoting a ‘Trump $250 note’
According to the Associated Press, the proposal was introduced by Republican Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina, calling on the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing to issue a $250 commemorative note featuring Trump’s portrait in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Under current U.S. law, living individuals are prohibited from appearing on circulating currency. As such, the bill effectively seeks to create an exception for current or former presidents. When asked whether the legislation was designed for a specific individual, Bessent directly emphasized: “Donald J. Trump.”
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He deliberately repeated Trump’s commonly used full-name format.
A Treasury Department spokesperson later confirmed that relevant agencies had conducted “appropriate planning and due diligence” to ensure they could execute any potential congressional directive to issue a “$250 commemorative note honoring America’s 250th anniversary.”
However, the spokesperson did not directly mention Trump’s name.
Treasury Department already accelerating internal processes
The Washington Post reported that Brandon Beach, a Trump-appointed Treasury official, has been pushing for months to accelerate preparations at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
According to the report, as early as last autumn, Beach submitted draft designs to the Bureau, including Trump’s portrait, the U.S. 250th anniversary emblem, and Trump’s signature. This differs from current U.S. currency design conventions, as signatures are typically not included on modern banknotes.
Patricia Solimene, a former head of the Bureau, reportedly objected to the accelerated timeline, emphasizing that issuing new currency involves a lengthy legal and technical process. She was later reassigned, and Michael Brown, a senior aide to Beach, is now serving as acting director.
British artist Iain Alexander also confirmed to The Washington Post that he designed the new $250 bill and said he had discussed the concept directly with Trump.
Trump’s personal image continues entering federal institutions
If the bill is ultimately passed, it would mark the first time in U.S. history that a living president appears on circulating currency, making it a highly controversial political symbol.
Previously, the Treasury Department approved the issuance of a commemorative coin featuring Trump’s image for the nation’s 250th anniversary. The Treasury argues that commemorative coins are not subject to the legal restriction prohibiting living presidents from appearing on currency. Historically, former President Calvin Coolidge appeared on a 1926 half-dollar coin commemorating the 150th anniversary of U.S. independence.
Meanwhile, banners featuring Trump’s portrait have already been displayed on federal buildings such as the Department of Justice, and some management within the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington has also pushed to incorporate Trump’s name into the institution’s branding. Because the Kennedy Center was originally established by Congress as an official memorial to the late President John F. Kennedy, these renaming efforts have faced legal challenges.
White House: ‘Issuance depends entirely on Congress’
In response to concerns that the administration is actively promoting the “Trump currency” plan, Bessent sought to downplay the executive branch’s role.
He said the Treasury is only acting in accordance with existing law. Current regulations require U.S. currency to include the phrase “In God We Trust,” and that individuals depicted must be deceased.
Bessent said whether the new bill will ultimately be authorized depends on Congress, adding that the Treasury “must be prepared in advance,” the Associated Press reported.
“At Treasury, we prepare in advance,” he told reporters. “We’ve done so here in the event the legislation passes — but we will follow the law.”
However, the fact that the Treasury has already prepared design proposals suggests a significant level of internal support within the Trump administration for the initiative.
The bill is currently still under congressional review and has not yet reached a formal vote.
