Washington, May 28 — Treasury Secretary Bessent said Tuesday that the U.S. Treasury is all set to issue a special $250 bill featuring President Trump’s portrait, even the design is already done. But whether it actually hits the streets depends on whether Congress gives the thumbs up.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Bessent noted that current U.S. law prohibits printing the likeness of a living person on currency. So the House needs to pass a bill to change that rule, “so that a living person, like Donald Trump, can appear on the $250 note.” He added, “It’s all up to Congress, but Treasury has to be ready — and we’ve already designed the note.”
Earlier that day, it was reported that Treasury’s own Bureau of Engraving and Printing had been urged by Treasurer Brandon Beachy to speed up production of a $250 bill with Trump’s face on it. The former director of the bureau, Patricia Solimene, was reportedly reassigned after refusing to rush the process.
Back in February 2025, Republican Congressman Joe Wilson from South Carolina introduced a bill calling for a $250 bill with Trump’s portrait. The bill also wants to create a “loophole” in the current law that bans living people on currency. Wilson said the move would “honor the President symbolically as we celebrate America’s 250th birthday.” But so far, the bill has been stuck in Congress.
On March 19, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts — whose members Trump personally picked — gave the green light to put Trump’s face on a commemorative gold coin for the nation’s 250th anniversary, and even said the coin should be “as big as possible.” Then on March 26, the Treasury announced it would put Trump’s signature on regular dollar bills to mark the 250th anniversary.
