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May 28, 20261
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US Treasury Confirms Design Work on $250 Bill Featuring President Trump
The US Treasury Department is developing a design for a $250 bank note featuring President Trump, which would require Congressional approval and changes to existing law that currently prohibit living persons from appearing on US currency.
Quick Facts
Who
Scott Bessent
What
Treasury Department drafting design for $250 bank note
When
May 28, 2026
Where
Washington
- Treasury Department drafting design for $250 bank note
- Treasury Secretary confirms project
- Proposed changes to federal law regarding currency design
- British painter created mock-up design
- Trump suggested design modifications
The US Department of the Treasury is drafting designs for a $250 bank note featuring the portrait of President Donald Trump, according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The initiative would represent a significant departure from over 150 years of US currency policy, as current law prohibits living persons from appearing on American currency.
Bessent confirmed the project while noting that legal changes would be required to implement it. He stated that the existing restriction stems from established law requiring that "no living person can be on US currency and the currency must say 'In God We Trust.'" A relevant bill addressing these restrictions is currently under consideration in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
British painter Iain Alexander created the mock-up design for the $250 note. According to his account, he consulted with President Trump during the design process, and Trump suggested modifications including the incorporation of American flag colors and imagery commemorating the nation's 250th anniversary.
Bessent emphasized that the Treasury Department will adhere to legal requirements, stating "We prepare for everything... We will stick to the law." The final determination on whether to proceed with the currency design rests with Congress. If approved and implemented, Trump would become the first living individual to appear on US currency since the nation's founding.
Why This Matters
This development signals a potential historic shift in US currency policy after 150+ years of restriction. If approved by Congress, it would fundamentally alter the legal framework governing who can appear on American money, with significant implications for currency design standards, presidential commemoration practices, and the symbolic representation of national leadership on financial instruments. For citizens and observers, this reflects evolving attitudes toward contemporary political figures and may influence broader debates about currency modernization and democratic representation.
Timeline & Sources
May 28, 2026
WireTreasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirms drafting of $250 bank note design featuring President Trump
May 28, 2026
WireRelevant bill addressing currency law changes under consideration in House and Senate