The United States is moving to amend its laws to put President Donald Trump's face on the dollar. The Trump administration is pursuing the issuance of a new $250 bill featuring the president's likeness and is reviewing relevant legal revisions to make it possible. Current U.S. law prohibits living individuals from appearing on currency.
According to The Wall Street Journal on Friday, U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach and Senior Adviser Michael Brown recently held discussions with officials at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP). Beach requested the production of a draft design for a $250 bill bearing Trump's image.
The discussions gained momentum after a related bill was introduced in the House of Representatives. If the bill passes, the Treasury Department will be able to feature Trump's face on a $250 bill to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
"While currently a living person cannot appear, it is not inappropriate," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said at a press conference Friday. "The Treasury is prepared to act if the legislation passes." A Treasury spokesperson also referred to the bill introduced by Representative Joe Wilson, saying "the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is conducting appropriate planning and due diligence." Another supporter, Representative Andy Barr, posted a photo of himself holding a draft of the bill on his social media account.
Earlier this year, the Treasury Department announced that the names of Secretary Bessent and President Trump would appear on currency in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding. The push for the new $250 bill represents a further concretization of that plan.
Separately, a federal commission this year approved the design of a gold coin featuring Trump on the front and an eagle on the back. U.S. presidents typically appear on coins only posthumously. However, former President Calvin Coolidge appeared on a coin commemorating the 150th anniversary of the nation's founding during his lifetime as a precedent.
