U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Treasury is preparing a design for a $250 [1] banknote featuring former President Donald Trump.
The move represents a significant departure from traditional currency design and introduces a high-value denomination not currently in circulation. Because the Treasury cannot unilaterally create new currency denominations, the project remains contingent on the U.S. Congress passing legislation to authorize the note.
Bessent said the preparations during a White House press briefing on Thursday, May 28, 2026. He said the department is taking proactive steps to ensure a design is available should the legislative process succeed.
"We have a design for a $250 bill featuring President Donald Trump," Bessent said.
The proposal to introduce a $250 [1] bill would mark the first time a former president has been featured on U.S. currency through a newly created denomination. Current law requires congressional approval for the issuance of new denominations of Federal Reserve notes.
Bessent's comments follow reports regarding the Treasury's internal planning for the note. The secretary said the department is ready to move forward once the legal requirements are met, ensuring the transition from design to production is seamless if the bill passes.
“"We have a design for a $250 bill featuring President Donald Trump,"”
The introduction of a $250 bill would be a rare disruption of the U.S. monetary system, as the government seldom adds new denominations to the currency. By preparing the design before legislation is passed, the Treasury is signaling a high level of coordination with the executive branch's goals, though the final outcome rests entirely with the legislative branch's willingness to authorize the change.
