WASHINGTON, May 28, 2026 — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed Thursday at a White House press briefing that his department has been preparing designs for a $250 bill featuring President Donald Trump, citing pending legislation in Congress that would create an exception to the federal law barring living people from appearing on U.S. currency.
“There is proposed legislation, in front of the House, in front of the Senate, to change the first requirement so that a living person, Donald J. Trump, could be on a $250 bill,” Bessent told reporters. “It’s all up on Capitol Hill. At Treasury, we prepare things in advance, so we have prepared in advance that if the legislation is passed — but we will stick to the law.”
When asked how long before his signature would appear next to Trump’s face on the bill, Bessent held up a copy of The Washington Post — which had reported the story that morning — and noted that Treasury’s two mandates for U.S. currency are that no living person can appear on it and that it must say “In God We Trust.” He added that his department had “created the bill” in preparation, but that everything depends on Congress.
The Legislation
The bill driving the preparations is the Donald J. Trump $250 Bill Act, introduced by Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., which would amend the Federal Reserve Act to require the Treasury Secretary to print $250 Federal Reserve notes featuring a portrait of Trump. The bill is intended to symbolically recognize the president during the nation’s semiquincentennial — the 250th anniversary of American independence on July 4, 2026.
The legislation has stalled in the House Committee on Financial Services for more than a year. It would still need to pass the Senate, where it would require a bipartisan majority of 60 votes for passage — a threshold Democrats are expected to try to block. If it does not pass before the end of the 119th Congress, it expires and would need to be reintroduced.
What Federal Law Currently Says
Federal law is explicit: 31 U.S. Code § 5114 states that “only the portrait of a deceased individual may appear on United States currency and securities.” No living person has appeared on U.S. currency since 1866, when it became illegal after a then-living Treasury official, Spencer Clark, appeared on a note and caused public uproar, according to Axios. Wilson’s bill would add a statutory exception for current and former presidents.
What Treasury Has Already Done
The Washington Post reported Thursday that Trump administration officials pressed the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to design the $250 bill despite the legislation’s uncertain status. U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach — a Trump appointee — and his senior adviser requested prototypes of the note, according to Axios. Beach acknowledged in correspondence that he was aware the law banned living people from appearing on currency but said he believed it was “appropriate for us to honor the sitting President for the 250-year celebration.”
The design provided to BEP staff in August features Trump’s portrait — the same one that adorns banners hanging on some federal buildings in Washington — along with a 250th anniversary logo and Trump’s own signature, according to the Washington Post. Trump’s signature on currency would itself be a first for a sitting president; the Treasury announced in March 2026 that future currency would bear Trump’s signature.
A Treasury Department spokesperson told CBS News the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is “conducting appropriate planning and due diligence in response to the proposed legislation” and that “should this legislative mandate be signed into law, the BEP is moving proactively to produce a $250 commemorative note which will appropriately recognize the 250th Anniversary of our great nation.”
A Pattern of Currency Imprinting
The $250 bill effort is the latest in a series of moves by the Trump administration to place the president’s name or image on U.S. currency and coins. In March 2026, Treasury announced Trump’s signature would appear on future paper currency. In October 2025, the department said it was working on a $1 coin featuring Trump. In December 2025, Treasury unveiled new designs for the nickel, dime, quarter, and half dollar celebrating America’s 250th anniversary — designs that Trump administration officials have framed as part of the broader America 250 celebration.
Trump has also sought to attach his name to other federal institutions, renaming the Kennedy Center to the Trump Kennedy Center — a move being challenged in court — and renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America by executive order.
Bessent closed his briefing remarks on the topic by reiterating that Treasury would follow the law. “We will stick to the law,” he said — while making clear that the designs are ready if Congress decides to change it.
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