During his presidency, the Donald Trump administration reportedly explored designs for a new $250 bill that would feature the then-President's portrait. This push, detailed in a report by The Washington Post, occurred despite long-standing federal laws that explicitly bar living individuals from appearing on American currency.
Treasury Officials Urged BEP Staff for Prototypes
According to the report, two political appointees within the Treasury Department were central to this initiative: US Treasurer Brandon Beach and his senior adviser Mike Brown. They are said to have repeatedly pressured staff at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) to create prototypes of the proposed note, beginning in the previous year.
Mock-up designs were reportedly shared by Beach in August and September. These designs prominently displayed Trump's face at the center of the proposed $250 bill, alongside the signatures of the president and then-Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Legal Challenges and Internal Opposition
The efforts sparked significant concern within the BEP, given the clear legal prohibition against featuring living persons on currency. An unnamed BEP employee quoted by The Washington Post stated, "We're not authorised to do this. We can't progress any further," also noting that new currency designs typically require six to eight years of development due to stringent security and technical demands.
British artist Iain Alexander claimed to have designed one of these mock-ups, telling the newspaper that Trump personally reviewed the proposal. The former president allegedly suggested adding American flag colors and a "250" anniversary logo, with Alexander remarking that Trump "absolutely loved it."
Congressional Efforts and Treasury's Stance
A legislative attempt to authorize Trump's portrait on a commemorative $250 bill was introduced in Congress by Republican Congressman Joe Wilson earlier this year. However, this proposal has not advanced.
In response to the proposed legislation, the Treasury Department issued a statement, as quoted by The Washington Post, indicating that the BEP was "conducting appropriate planning and due diligence." The statement added that the bureau was moving "proactively" should Congress eventually approve such a measure.
BEP Director Reassigned Amid Warnings
Patricia "Patty" Solimene, the BEP's first female director, reportedly warned Treasury officials multiple times about the legal and procedural obstacles to producing the controversial note. Solimene was subsequently reassigned from her post in April. In a farewell email cited by the report, she wrote that the move was "not my choice" and famously added, "The buck stopped here."
Distinction with Presidential Signatures
The administration also approved another symbolic change: printing $100 bills carrying Trump’s signature. Treasury officials clarified that no law prohibits a sitting president’s signature from appearing on currency, distinguishing it from the more contentious portrait issue. Currency experts cited by the newspaper reiterated that a $250 note featuring Trump's image would require an explicit act of Congress, as "A $250 note is not statutorily authorized," according to former BEP director Larry Felix.
Context of America's 250th Anniversary
The push for a Trump-themed commemorative note aligns with the administration’s broader plans to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America's founding. Other proposed anniversary projects included a 250-foot triumphal arch and a "Garden of Heroes" in Washington.