Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Treasury Department has prepared a design for a $250 [1] bill featuring Donald Trump.
The move represents a significant departure from long-standing U.S. currency traditions, as federal law currently prohibits the use of living persons on banknotes.
Bessent said Thursday that the department has taken limited steps to prepare for the new denomination [2]. The $250 [1] bill is intended to be ready if Congress passes legislation that would permit living individuals to appear on national currency [2].
"We have prepared the design for a $250 bill featuring President Donald Trump," Bessent said [2].
Historically, the U.S. government has reserved currency portraits for deceased figures to avoid the politicization of money. The introduction of a new denomination would require both a change in law and a decision by the Treasury to issue the note.
Bessent said he dismissed concerns regarding the appropriateness of the move. "Nothing untoward about Trump's face on a $250 bill," he said [3].
The Treasury Department has not released the specific design of the note or a timeline for its potential issuance. The project remains contingent on legislative action from Congress to override current restrictions on living subjects. If approved, the $250 [1] bill would be the first new denomination introduced to the U.S. monetary system in decades.
“"We have prepared the design for a $250 bill featuring President Donald Trump,"”
The preparation of this banknote signals a proactive effort by the Treasury to align with potential political shifts. By designing the bill before legislation is passed, the administration is creating a turnkey solution that allows for rapid implementation once the legal barrier regarding living persons is removed.
