Trump’s Face Could Appear on a New $250 Bill

The administration of US President Donald Trump is making plans to print a new $250 banknote — one that could carry a portrait of the president himself.

Under current US law, the image of a living person cannot appear on American currency. However, some of Trump’s allies in Congress have introduced a bill that would create an exception to that rule. If passed, the legislation would allow Trump’s face to be printed on the new note.

The US Treasury Department has confirmed it is already preparing for the possibility. A spokesperson told the BBC that the agency “is conducting appropriate planning and due diligence” in response to the proposed legislation.

Why $250?

Supporters of the idea say the $250 denomination was chosen to mark a special occasion — the 250th anniversary of the United States, which falls on 4 July this year.

The legislation was introduced by Republican Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina. It still needs to pass both the House of Representatives and the Senate before it can become law.

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) — the Treasury agency responsible for designing and producing US currency — has already been asked to develop design concepts for the note, though none have been made public yet.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, speaking at a White House briefing, said the matter was “in the hands” of Congress. He added that he saw nothing wrong with placing the image of the sitting president on a note marking the nation’s 250th anniversary.

 Two Laws Could Be Broken

Beyond the ban on living persons appearing on currency, the plan could run into another legal obstacle. A separate federal law lists the only permitted banknote denominations — and $250 is not among them.

The largest note currently in circulation is the $100 bill, which features Benjamin Franklin. Larger notes, including $500, $1,000, and $10,000 bills, were discontinued in 1969. They are still considered legal tender but are no longer in circulation and are mostly held by private collectors.

Critics Push Back

Not everyone is on board. Democratic Senator Mark Warner, a member of the Senate Banking Committee, was sharply critical of the proposal.

“As Americans struggle with the rising cost of gas, groceries, housing, and health care, President Trump’s priorities for taxpayer dollars are completely detached from the challenges families face every day,” Warner said.

He added: “If this White House put even half as much energy into working to lower costs as it does into stoking the president’s ego, American families wouldn’t need that new $250 bill just to fill up their gas tanks.”

 Part of a Bigger Pattern

The $250 note is just the latest in a series of moves to attach Trump’s name and image to American public life. Since taking office, Trump’s name has been added to the Kennedy Center, his portrait is set to appear in US passports, and Air Force One is being repainted in his preferred colours. His signature is also expected to feature on US paper currency as part of the country’s anniversary celebrations.

Producing a new banknote normally takes several years and involves multiple agencies, including the Federal Reserve and the US Secret Service. It is unclear whether the $250 bill could be ready in time for the 4 July anniversary.