Treasury Prepares $250 Bill Featuring Trump Pending Congressional Approval

The U.S. Treasury Department is preparing to produce a $250 bill featuring President Donald Trump’s portrait, contingent on congressional authorization, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday. The initiative is part of the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebrations and would mark the first appearance of a living person on U.S. currency in more than 150 years.

Bessent explained that current mandates for currency design prohibit living persons from appearing on notes and require the phrase “In God We Trust.” Legislation introduced last year by Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) seeks to amend the rule to allow Trump’s image on the new bill. The bill was referred to the House Financial Services Committee in February 2025 and remains there.

“At Treasury we prepare things in advance, so we have prepared in advance that if the legislation is passed, but we will stick to the law,” Bessent said during a White House press briefing. He added, “I don’t think that there’s anything untoward about having the president of the United States, the person who was president of the United States on the 250th anniversary bill.”

David Snider, spokesperson for Rep. Wilson, confirmed that Wilson has discussed the bill with Financial Services Committee Chair Rep. French Hill (R-Ark.), Bessent, and Trump, all of whom support the proposal. A GOP committee aide indicated the bill has been greenlit for a future committee hearing and that discussions with members of Congress are ongoing.

A Treasury spokeswoman confirmed that the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is conducting planning and due diligence to produce the bill should the legislation become law. This preparation is part of broader efforts to commemorate the country’s semiquincentennial, which also include plans to feature Trump’s signature on paper currency in honor of the 250th anniversary.

Additionally, a federal commission composed of Trump-appointed members approved a design that would include Trump’s image on 24-karat commemorative gold coins, also in honor of the 250th anniversary. That design still requires official approval from the Treasury.

These currency initiatives are part of a wider pattern of efforts to leave Trump’s mark on federal institutions and public spaces. Trump has affixed his name to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the U.S. Institute of Peace, discount drug programs, savings accounts, and proposed warships. The Florida Legislature recently voted to rename Palm Beach International Airport after Trump, and his likeness appears on banners at the Justice Department and Department of Labor.

The announcement has drawn scrutiny amid broader concerns about government spending and economic challenges facing Americans. Critics have highlighted the optics of preparing a commemorative bill featuring a living president while many Americans face rising costs for essentials like gas and groceries. Bessent said he did not think there was anything “untoward” about the projects, noting they are funded by private citizens, federal, state, and municipal governments.

The Washington Post first reported on the Treasury’s preparations, noting that political appointees at the Treasury, including U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach and senior adviser Mike Brown, have urged the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to develop prototypes of the $250 note. Bessent responded to the Post’s article by saying it was “terribly written, terribly edited,” and emphasized that the Treasury is following the law and preparing in case Congress passes the legislation.

The bill must pass the House Financial Services Committee, then be approved by both chambers of Congress, and finally be signed into law by the president. The legislation has not advanced beyond committee, and its future remains uncertain.

The currency proposal coincides with other projects associated with the 250th anniversary celebrations, including plans for a 250-foot tall triumphal arch and painting the Reflecting Pool’s bottom blue. Additionally, new reporting by NOTUS indicates spending of $5 million on painting horse statues gold. These initiatives have sparked debate over government spending priorities amid ongoing economic pressures.

Separately, Vice President JD Vance addressed concerns about artificial intelligence’s impact on warfare during a speech at the Air Force Academy, emphasizing the importance of human decision-making in military operations. His remarks contrasted with those of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and highlighted ongoing discussions within the administration about technology and national security.