Officials from the Treasury Department are proceeding with plans to design a $250 banknote featuring the image of former President Donald Trump. According to a report by the Washington Post, political appointees at the Treasury have urged the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to create mockups for the bill, despite concerns about legal restrictions that typically prohibit living individuals from being depicted on currency.
This initiative follows the introduction of the "Donald J. Trump $250 Bill Act" by Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), which aims to authorize the creation of such a note and amend existing laws. A spokesperson for the Treasury stated that the designs are part of due diligence in response to the proposed legislation.
Federal law, dating back to the 19th century, restricts the depiction of living people on U.S. currency to prevent the glorification of political figures. Any move to include Trump’s image on a circulating bill would require congressional approval to amend this law.
One proposed design includes Trump's face alongside the signature of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing has indicated that new currency designs are typically made public six to eight months prior to their release to prevent counterfeiting.
Creating a new denomination would necessitate multiple layers of federal approval, including authorization from Congress and assessments from the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve regarding the practicality and necessity of such a note. The U.S. has not introduced a new paper denomination in decades, with higher-value bills like the $500 and $1,000 notes discontinued in 1969 due to limited use.