The Trump administration is reportedly moving forward with early planning for a commemorative $250 bill featuring President Donald Trump’s portrait and signature, despite the proposal still facing major legislative hurdles in Congress.
According to sources familiar with internal discussions, officials within the U.S. Treasury Department and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) have begun preliminary design considerations should legislation authorizing the note eventually become law. If approved, it would mark the first time in more than 150 years that a living person appears on U.S. currency.
Current federal law prohibits living individuals from being depicted on American money. However, Republican Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina has introduced legislation directing the Treasury Department to issue a $250 Federal Reserve note honoring Trump.
The proposal, first introduced over a year ago, currently has 15 Republican co-sponsors but remains stalled in the House Financial Services Committee. The measure would still require approval in both chambers of Congress, including a 60-vote threshold in the Senate, where Democrats are expected to oppose the effort.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the bill’s future, the Treasury Department confirmed that the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is conducting “appropriate planning and due diligence” in preparation for the possibility of the legislation being signed into law.
A Treasury spokesperson described the effort as a proactive measure tied to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States, also known as the Semiquincentennial.
“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 spokesperson said.
Sources also told ABC News that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach have pushed for Trump’s signature to appear directly on the commemorative currency alongside the Treasury Secretary’s signature — an unprecedented move for a sitting president.
In an official statement, the Treasury Department did not deny the reports.
“Based on the recommendation of U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach, Secretary Bessent will recognize the historic achievements of our great country and President Trump by adding his signature to the currency,” a Treasury spokesperson stated.
The administration framed the proposal as part of a broader celebration of America’s 250th anniversary and praised Trump’s economic policies as justification for the symbolic recognition.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, we are on a path toward unprecedented economic growth, lasting dollar dominance, and fiscal strength and stability,” Secretary Bessent said in a statement. “There is no more powerful way to recognize the historic achievements of our great country and President Donald J. Trump than U.S. dollar bills bearing his name.”
Treasurer Brandon Beach echoed the sentiment, describing Trump as “the architect of America’s Golden Age economic revival.”
“As the 250th anniversary of our great nation approaches, American currency will continue to stand as a symbol of prosperity, strength, and the unshakable spirit of the American people under President Trump’s leadership,” Beach said.
Congressman Joe Wilson also defended the proposal, linking it to inflation and the rising cost of living.
“Bidenflation has destroyed the economy forcing American families to carry more cash,” Wilson stated. “President Trump is working tirelessly to fight inflation and help American families. This achievement is deserving of currency recognition.”
The Treasury Department also emphasized that no taxpayer funds would be used to produce the commemorative bill, noting that the Bureau of Engraving and Printing finances its operations through product sales and billings rather than congressional appropriations.
In addition to the currency proposal, the State Department announced plans to issue special-edition passports featuring Trump’s portrait and signature as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary commemorations.
The Washington Post first reported details of the administration’s planning efforts.
