President Donald Trump could soon feature on a proposed new $250 bill, in what critics say would mark another break from long-standing US traditions by placing a living president on American currency. The proposal, first reported by the Washington Post, would make Trump the first living person in more than 150 years to appear on US paper money if approved by Congress. Speaking at a media briefing on Thursday (May 28), US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed discussions around the proposal. "Right now, there is proposed legislation, front of the House, in front of the Senate, to change the first requirement so that a living person, Donald J. Trump, could be on a $250 bill," Bessent said.&nbsp;"I don't think that there's anything untoward about having the President of the United States, the person who's president of the United States, on the 250th anniversary bill," Bessent said. According to reports, the proposed design includes the words ‘America 250 anniversary’, referencing the upcoming 250th anniversary of US independence on July 4, 2026. Bessent said Treasury officials had already begun preliminary planning should lawmakers approve the measure, but stressed that officials 'will stick to the law'.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/treasury-secretary-scott-bessent-issues-sanctions-warning-to-oman-over-strait-of-hormuz-toll-says-any-willing-partners-will-be-penalised-1779994666160">Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent issues sanctions warning to Oman over Strait of Hormuz toll, says 'any willing partners will be penalised'</a>&nbsp;The Washington Post reported that two Trump-appointed Treasury officials encouraged staff at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to prepare prototype designs last year. Current federal law prohibits living presidents from appearing on US currency, raising legal concerns among bureau employees who spoke anonymously to the newspaper. A Treasury spokeswoman told AFP that the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is conducting appropriate planning and due diligence in response to the proposal. She also clarified that US Treasurer Brandon Beach had not directed staff to print the bill before any congressional approval.&nbsp;The report said bureau director Patricia Solimene raised concerns over legal and procedural barriers before being reassigned from her role. The proposed bill is the latest in a series of moves by the Trump administration to place the president’s image and branding across US institutions and commemorative projects. Earlier this year, the US Commission of Fine Arts approved plans for a commemorative ‘Semiquincentennial Gold Coin’ featuring Trump-linked branding tied to America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/google-engineer-accused-of-using-confidential-data-for-betting-1779980443932/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/google-engineer-accused-of-using-confidential-data-for-betting-1779980443932/embed</a>&nbsp;Trump’s name has also been added to institutions, including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the US Institute of Peace, while banners bearing his likeness have appeared at federal departments. The legislation allowing Trump to appear on the $250 bill was introduced in Congress last year but has not advanced. Democrats sharply criticised the proposal, with Senator Mark Warner calling it an attempt at blatantly 'stoking the president's ego'.

Donald Trump may appear on a proposed $250 bill tied to America’s 250th anniversary, sparking legal debate, political backlash, and national attention

President Donald Trump could soon feature on a proposed new $250 bill, in what critics say would mark another break from long-standing US traditions by placing a living president on American currency. The proposal, first reported by the Washington Post, would make Trump the first living person in more than 150 years to appear on US paper money if approved by Congress. Speaking at a media briefing on Thursday (May 28), US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed discussions around the proposal. "Right now, there is proposed legislation, front of the House, in front of the Senate, to change the first requirement so that a living person, Donald J. Trump, could be on a $250 bill," Bessent said. "I don't think that there's anything untoward about having the President of the United States, the person who's president of the United States, on the 250th anniversary bill," Bessent said. According to reports, the proposed design includes the words ‘America 250 anniversary’, referencing the upcoming 250th anniversary of US independence on July 4, 2026. Bessent said Treasury officials had already begun preliminary planning should lawmakers approve the measure, but stressed that officials 'will stick to the law'. Also Read: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent issues sanctions warning to Oman over Strait of Hormuz toll, says 'any willing partners will be penalised' The Washington Post reported that two Trump-appointed Treasury officials encouraged staff at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to prepare prototype designs last year. Current federal law prohibits living presidents from appearing on US currency, raising legal concerns among bureau employees who spoke anonymously to the newspaper. A Treasury spokeswoman told AFP that the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is conducting appropriate planning and due diligence in response to the proposal. She also clarified that US Treasurer Brandon Beach had not directed staff to print the bill before any congressional approval. The report said bureau director Patricia Solimene raised concerns over legal and procedural barriers before being reassigned from her role. The proposed bill is the latest in a series of moves by the Trump administration to place the president’s image and branding across US institutions and commemorative projects. Earlier this year, the US Commission of Fine Arts approved plans for a commemorative ‘Semiquincentennial Gold Coin’ featuring Trump-linked branding tied to America’s 250th anniversary celebrations. https://www.wionews.com/videos/google-engineer-accused-of-using-confidential-data-for-betting-1779980443932/embed Trump’s name has also been added to institutions, including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the US Institute of Peace, while banners bearing his likeness have appeared at federal departments. The legislation allowing Trump to appear on the $250 bill was introduced in Congress last year but has not advanced. Democrats sharply criticised the proposal, with Senator Mark Warner calling it an attempt at blatantly 'stoking the president's ego'.

US President Donald Trump could appear on a proposed $250 bill under new legislation, sparking legal concerns and criticism from Democrats

Trump could become first living president to be featured on new $250 bill in 150 years

Trump administration officials at the US Treasury Department are reportedly advancing plans to design a new $250 banknote featuring US President Donald Trump’s portrait, according to the Washington Post. The proposal is linked to commemorations for the United States’ 250th anniversary, with senior officials including Treasury Secretary Brandon Beach and adviser Mike Brown urging the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to prepare early prototypes.&nbsp;The mock-up, seen by the Washington Post, shows Trump’s portrait at the centre with the inscription “250 AMERICA”. A similar design was previously shared by Republican Representative Andy Barr in January, when he appeared with a large conceptual version of the proposed note alongside Treasury official Brandon Beach. In a post on X, dated January 9, 2026, Barr wrote: “America is turning 250—and it’s time to make more history! Today, I met with @TreasurerBeach on my proposal to put President Donald Trump on a new $250 bill. We’ve included this in a recent FI hearing in @FinancialCmte. Let’s honor 250 years of American greatness by celebrating the President who put America First!”&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/norway-to-move-under-france-s-nuclear-umbrella-5-reasons-europe-s-defence-calculus-is-shifting-1779965498271">Norway to move under France’s nuclear umbrella: 5 reasons Europe’s defence calculus is shifting</a>&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">America is turning 250—and it’s time to make more history! Today, I met with <a href="https://x.com/TreasurerBeach?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TreasurerBeach</a> on my proposal to put President Donald Trump on a new $250 bill. We’ve included this in a recent FI hearing in <a href="https://x.com/FinancialCmte?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FinancialCmte</a>. Let’s honor 250 years of American greatness by celebrating… <a href="https://t.co/WgRl4xAJrU">pic.twitter.com/WgRl4xAJrU</a>&mdash; Congressman Andy Barr (@RepAndyBarr) <a href="https://x.com/RepAndyBarr/status/2009348684979274122?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;<h2>Legal Barriers and Currency Rules in Question</h2>US federal law currently prohibits living individuals from appearing on currency, a rule in place since 1866. The Washington Post reported that any such proposal would require legislative approval from Congress. Former Bureau of Engraving and Printing director Larry R. Felix told the newspaper that a $250 note is ‘not statutorily authorised’ without an act of Congress and approval from the Treasury Secretary.&nbsp;Despite this, a Treasury spokesperson said the agency is conducting “appropriate planning and due diligence” for a potential commemorative note tied to the 250th anniversary, should legal authorisation be granted.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Commemorative gold coin design marking America's 250th anniversary, approved by the US Commission of Fine Arts

&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-china-tensions-over-taiwan-may-spiral-towards-nuclear-escalation-study-warns-1779962682002">US-China tensions over Taiwan may spiral towards nuclear escalation, study warns</a><h2>Internal Push and Institutional Resistance</h2>The Washington Post reported internal disagreements within the Bureau of Engraving and Printing over feasibility. Former and current employees said producing a new denomination can take six to eight years, particularly for a high-value note requiring security testing and integration with ATM systems. Staff reportedly cautioned that no formal inter-agency process had been completed. One employee described concerns that expectations were unrealistic, noting that currency design and production require extensive testing to ensure reliability in circulation.&nbsp;The proposal comes alongside separate plans to issue a commemorative 24-karat gold coin featuring Trump to mark America’s 250th anniversary. The proposed design shows Trump leaning on the Resolute Desk with clenched fists, making him only the second sitting president to appear on a US coin. The first was Calvin Coolidge in 1926, featured alongside George Washington on a coin marking 150 years of American independence. The US Commission of Fine Arts approved the design on March 19, 2026. While federal law prohibits living presidents from appearing on circulating currency, officials clarified that this would be a commemorative coin, which falls under the Treasury Secretary’s authority for approval and issuance.&nbsp;Additionally, Trump is set to become the first sitting US president to have his signature appear on US banknotes, the Treasury Department announced in March. His signature will feature alongside Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as part of commemorations marking America’s 250th anniversary, which officials say highlights economic strength and dollar dominance.&nbsp;

The proposal is linked to commemorations for the United States’ 250th anniversary, with senior officials including Treasury Secretary Brandon Beach and adviser Mike Brown urging the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to prepare early prototypes.

Trump administration officials at the US Treasury Department are reportedly advancing plans to design a new $250 banknote featuring US President Donald Trump’s portrait, according to the Washington Post. The proposal is linked to commemorations for the United States’ 250th anniversary, with senior officials including Treasury Secretary Brandon Beach and adviser Mike Brown urging the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to prepare early prototypes. The mock-up, seen by the Washington Post, shows Trump’s portrait at the centre with the inscription “250 AMERICA”. A similar design was previously shared by Republican Representative Andy Barr in January, when he appeared with a large conceptual version of the proposed note alongside Treasury official Brandon Beach. In a post on X, dated January 9, 2026, Barr wrote: “America is turning 250—and it’s time to make more history! Today, I met with @TreasurerBeach on my proposal to put President Donald Trump on a new $250 bill. We’ve included this in a recent FI hearing in @FinancialCmte. Let’s honor 250 years of American greatness by celebrating the President who put America First!” ALSO READ: Norway to move under France’s nuclear umbrella: 5 reasons Europe’s defence calculus is shifting

The proposal is linked to commemorations for the United States’ 250th anniversary, with senior officials including Treasury Secretary Brandon Beach and adviser Mike Brown urging the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to prepare early prototypes.

Trump on US dollar bill? Appointees push $250 banknote proposal ahead of 250th anniversary, report says

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Trump could become first living president to be featured on new $250 bill in 150 years

Trump allies push proposal for $250 bill featuring his portrait, report says