US Government Moves Forward with Plans for $250 Bill Featuring Trump

The Trump administration is actively preparing to issue a new $250 banknote that would bear the president’s portrait, contingent upon congressional approval. While current federal statutes prohibit the inclusion of living individuals on US currency, supporters of the president in Congress have proposed legislation to create a specific exception for this purpose.

According to a Treasury Department spokesperson, the agency is engaging in "appropriate planning and due diligence" regarding the proposed bill. Lawmakers sponsoring the initiative stated that the $250 denomination was chosen to commemorate the United States’ 250th anniversary this year. If enacted, this would represent the most recent effort by Trump and his allies to embed his image, name, and likeness into national institutions and symbols.

Although artistic renderings of the note have not been made public, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP)—a Treasury sub-agency responsible for designing and manufacturing US currency—has requested design concepts. The Washington Post initially reported on the Treasury’s preparations.

"Should this legislative mandate be signed into law, the BEP is moving proactively to produce a $250 commemorative note which will appropriately recognize the 250th Anniversary of our great nation," the Treasury spokesperson told the BBC.

This potential new currency follows the decision to include Trump’s signature on US paper money as part of the nation’s semiquincentennial celebrations. The legislative push was initiated last year by Republican US House Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina. For the plan to proceed, it must secure approval from both the House and the Senate.

During a White House briefing on Thursday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent addressed the issue, noting that the final decision rests with Congress. He confirmed that while the Treasury is preparing for the possibility of the legislation passing, the department remains bound by existing laws. Bessent also expressed no concern regarding the presence of an incumbent president’s image on a bill marking the country’s 250th anniversary, stating he did "not think there's anything untoward" about the idea.

The proposal to introduce a $250 note may also conflict with separate federal regulations that dictate permissible denominations, as the current statute does not list $250 as an authorized value.

Democratic US Senator Mark Warner, a member of the Senate Banking Committee, strongly criticized the initiative. "As Americans struggle with the rising cost of gas, groceries, housing, and health care, President Trump's priorities for taxpayer dollars are completely detached from the challenges families face every day," Warner said in a statement. He added, "If this White House put even half as much energy into working to lower costs as it does into stoking the president's ego, American families wouldn't need that new $250 bill just to fill up their gas tanks."

Currently, the $100 bill, which features founding father Benjamin Franklin, is the highest denomination in circulation. The US previously printed larger notes, including $500, $1,000, and $10,000 bills, but these were discontinued in 1969. While they remain legal tender, they are no longer in active circulation and are mostly held by private collectors.

Developing new currency is a complex process that typically takes years and involves multiple agencies, including the Federal Reserve Board and the US Secret Service. Designs are kept confidential to prevent fraud. According to the BEP, "Note designs are typically made public six to eight months ahead of time for global public education and cash handler education purposes." The agency warned that earlier disclosure "would aid counterfeiters and cause confusion in the marketplace, lowering confidence in U.S. currency."

It remains uncertain whether the notes could be produced in time for the July 4 anniversary. Since assuming office last year, Trump and his allies have pursued efforts to incorporate his likeness into public spaces and national symbols. These initiatives include renaming the Kennedy Center to feature Trump’s name, adding his portrait to US passports, and repainting Air Force One in colors preferred by the president.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-05-28 18:24:15 UTC