WASHINGTON — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has expressed enthusiastic support for the initiative to feature President Trump’s likeness on a newly proposed $250 bill. Bessent believes that Trump’s accomplishments during his presidency merit this prestigious recognition.
He emphasized the importance of the Treasury Department’s readiness to issue a $250 note adorned with Trump’s image and signature, contingent upon Congress passing the necessary legislation to authorize such a change.
Speaking to Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” Bessent remarked, “I think it’s fitting. President Trump has led our nation during its 250th anniversary.” He drew a historical parallel, noting, “Calvin Coolidge was president during the 150th anniversary, and there was a commemorative coin produced in his honor.”
Bessent further elaborated, “It would be a fitting celebration of a noteworthy president’s legacy.”
Recently, the Washington Post detailed efforts by administration officials to prompt the Treasury Department’s Bureau of Engraving and Printing to create a prototype of the banknote featuring Trump.
Last week, the Washington Post reported on how administration officials pushed the Treasury Department’s Bureau of Engraving and Printing to mock up a banknote with Trump’s face on it.
The 1866 Thayer Amendment bars Uncle Sam from putting the likeness of a living person on official American currency, bonds, or other financial notes.
There is also another law restricting the government to specific denominations, including $100, $500, $1,000, and $5,000. But $250 isn’t on that list.
Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.) has championed legislation for the president’s face to appear on a $250 bill.
“We have sketched out what it would look like because we have to prepare way in advance,” Bessent explained. “And if the legislation passes, then we will do it. If it doesn’t, we won’t.”
Last week, while Bessent was filling in for White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who is on maternity leave, he argued that nothing was “untoward” about what the Treasury Department was doing and saod that it was a non-story.
Multiple Democrats have proposed bills to restrict Trump from getting his likeness on American currency. Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.) also unveiled legislation in April to block Trump’s signature from appearing on the greenback.
