The United States Treasury Department is actively weighing the introduction of a new $250 banknote bearing the image of President Donald Trump, according to reports. However, any such move would require a significant change in existing federal law, which currently prohibits living persons from appearing on American currency.
The proposal stems from a legislation introduced last year by Republican Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina, known as the “Donald J. Trump $250 Bill Act.” The bill aims to amend the Federal Reserve Act and direct the Treasury Secretary to print $250 Federal Reserve notes featuring a portrait of President Trump. It also seeks to create an exemption to the long-standing rule barring living individuals from currency designs.
Grateful to commemorate President Trump’s legacy of greatness and the 250 anniversary of America. I am looking forward to final passage of this billhttps://t.co/vHvx5bID4r
— Joe Wilson (@RepJoeWilson) May 28, 2026
At present, the US currency note of highest value is $100. Therefore, if the proposal is accepted, the new Trump note will be highest value bill of the country.
Wilson is not alone in pushing for a Trump banknote. U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach and his senior adviser, Mike Brown, have been urging the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to prepare prototypes of the note, in anticipation that the proposal will be accepted. However, the employees the bureau have raised concerns, as federal law currently allows only deceased people to appear on bills.
Brandon Beach last year provided mock-up designs for the note to the bureau staff. British painter Iain Alexander, who designed the mock-up, said Trump endorsed changes to his original design, such as adding the colours of the American flag and a logo commemorating the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding.
Speaking at a White House press briefing on Thursday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that the department is preparing in advance for the possibility. “For U.S. currency at present, no living person can be on U.S. currency,” he stated. He added that proposed legislation before Congress would allow a living person, specifically Donald J. Trump, to feature on the $250 bill. The Treasury is conducting planning and due diligence through the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, but will adhere strictly to current laws until any changes are enacted.
This initiative is tied to the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence, to be celebrated on 4 July this year. Officials have described the potential note as a commemorative piece to mark the nation’s Semiquincentennial.
Mock-up designs, including AI-generated concepts shared by Rep. Wilson’s office, show a portrait of President Trump on the green-hued bill, similar in style to existing denominations.
The legislation, introduced in February 2025, has been referred to the House Committee on Financial Services but has seen little progress since then. A Treasury Department spokesperson said the printing office “is conducting appropriate planning and due diligence” in response to the proposed legislation.
Current federal law, dating back to the 19th century, mandates that only portraits of deceased individuals may appear on U.S. currency and securities. Use of portraits of living persons on US banknotes was outlawed in 1866, when an image of a mid-level Treasury bureaucrat showed up on a 5-cent note.
This is not the first effort by the Trump administration to feature the President on currency. Earlier announcements included plans for future notes to carry Trump’s signature and work on a $1 coin with his image for the anniversary celebrations.
New currency designs typically take several years to develop fully, with public release occurring only months before circulation to prevent counterfeiting. Treasury officials have emphasised that any circulating mock-ups are not official designs.
