SouthernWorldwide.com – The U.S. Treasury Department is reportedly considering the creation of a $250 bill that would feature the image of President Trump.
However, such a move would necessitate a significant change in federal law, as current regulations prohibit living individuals from appearing on U.S. currency.
This potential development was first brought to light by The Washington Post. The Treasury Department confirmed that the consideration of this $250 bill is a direct response to legislation proposed last year.
The proposed legislation comes from Rep. Joe Wilson, a Republican representing South Carolina. The Treasury Department has been preparing for the possibility of this bill becoming law.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent addressed the matter during a White House press briefing. He reiterated the existing law that states no living person can be featured on U.S. currency.
Bessent also noted that U.S. currency must include the inscription “In God We Trust.” He explained that there is currently proposed legislation before both the House and the Senate aimed at altering the requirement concerning living individuals on currency.
The goal of this legislative effort is to allow for a living person, specifically Donald J. Trump, to be depicted on a $250 bill. Bessent emphasized that the department is preparing in advance should the legislation be passed.
“But we will stick to the law,” Bessent stated, underscoring the department’s commitment to following legal mandates.
A Treasury Department official communicated to CBS News that the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) is engaged in “appropriate planning and due diligence.” This action is being taken in direct response to the proposed legislation.
The official further elaborated that if this legislative mandate is enacted into law, the BEP is prepared to move proactively. The intention is to produce a $250 commemorative note. This note would serve to appropriately recognize the 250th Anniversary of the United States.
Current federal law, as outlined in Title 31, Section 5114 of the U.S. Code, explicitly states that only the portrait of a deceased individual can be featured on U.S. currency and securities.
Rep. Wilson’s bill seeks to amend the Federal Reserve Act. Specifically, it would mandate that the Treasury Secretary print $250 bills bearing a portrait of Donald J. Trump.
The “Donald J. Trump $250 Bill Act” was introduced in Congress in February 2025. It was subsequently referred to the House Committee on Financial Services on the same day.
However, the bill has since experienced a significant stall, with no further actions recorded on it. This indicates potential challenges in its legislative journey.
Over the past year, there has been a notable effort to incorporate more of President Trump’s name or image onto various forms of currency. In March, the Treasury Department announced that future currency would feature Mr. Trump’s signature.
Prior to that, in October, the department indicated it was working on a $1 coin. This coin would also feature the president’s image and is intended to commemorate the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, which falls on July 4th.
What would the bill look like?
When questioned about the potential design of the $250 bill, the Treasury Department official directed CBS News to Rep. Wilson’s legislative proposal.
A press release available on Rep. Wilson’s official website showcases an AI-generated design mock-up. This visual representation depicts a $250 note with a color portrait of Mr. Trump positioned on the left side.
Another version of the proposed bill’s appearance was featured in The Washington Post article. The publication noted that this image was a mockup that White House officials had provided to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing staff.
This particular image illustrates a bill rendered in shades of green ink, closely resembling the appearance of current U.S. banknotes. The central feature of this design is an image of Mr. Trump.
The development of new currency designs is a lengthy process, often taking several years, according to information from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
Typically, new designs are only revealed to the public within a six-to-eight-month window before the currency enters circulation. This practice is implemented to make it more difficult for counterfeiters to replicate the designs.
Considering the established timeline for currency design, the Treasury Department official clarified that any circulating “designs” or “mockups” are not considered official or real at this stage.
The proposed $250 bill would represent the most recent addition to a series of currency items being created to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary.
In December 2025, the Treasury Department unveiled a new set of designs for several denominations of coins. These include the nickel, dime, quarter, and half dollar. These updated designs are slated to appear on coins minted in 2026.
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The U.S. Mint, on its website, stated that the designs featured on these commemorative coins aim to tell the story of America’s journey toward a “more perfect union.” They also serve to celebrate the nation’s fundamental ideals of liberty.
