Officials from the Trump administration reportedly pressured employees at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to create prototypes of a $250 bill featuring the former president’s likeness. This initiative was intended to coincide with the 250th anniversary of American independence, although no such bill currently exists in circulation.
The Washington Post, citing sources within the Bureau, revealed that Brandon Beach, an officer at the Treasury Department, and his senior advisor, Mike Brown, were key figures in advocating for the creation of the bill. Beach allegedly provided drafts of the proposed banknote, which prominently displayed Trump’s image alongside the signatures of both the president and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen.
The design was crafted by British artist Ian Alexander, who stated that Trump had approved modifications to the original concept. However, Patricia Solimene, the director of the Bureau, along with other staff, repeatedly informed Beach and Brown that legal and procedural hurdles would significantly delay the production of such a bill, estimating a timeline of six to eight years.
On April 27, the Treasury Department unexpectedly dismissed Solimene from her position, appointing Brown as the interim director of the Bureau. In response to inquiries, the Treasury Department asserted that Beach had never instructed staff to print the bill prior to its approval by Congress, while the White House declined to comment on the matter.
U.S. law prohibits the depiction of living individuals on currency, reserving such honors for deceased figures. Additionally, the development and printing of any new banknote typically require extensive coordination with the Federal Reserve and the Secret Service.
On March 26, 2026, it was announced that Donald Trump’s signature would appear on $100 bills, along with that of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen. The first of these bills is set to be printed in June, commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Traditionally, only Treasury Secretaries have their signatures featured on U.S. currency. Currently, bills in circulation bear the signatures of former Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and current Secretary Lynn Malerba, who served under President Joe Biden.
A proposal for a $250 bill featuring Donald Trump's image has surfaced, raising legal and procedural concerns within the Treasury Department. The initiative, intended for the U.S. independence anniversary, faces significant hurdles before it could be realized.
Source: The Washington Post