United States Treasury Department has denied reports suggesting that it has concluded plans to print a 250-dollar bill bearing the image of President Donald Trump, saying no such currency has been authorised under existing law.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, however, confirmed that internal discussions were being monitored in anticipation of possible legislative action by the U.S. Congress regarding commemorative currency proposals linked to America’s 250th anniversary.
Speaking during a White House briefing on Thursday, Bessent said any action on the proposed note would depend entirely on Congress.
“It’s all in the hands of Capitol Hill. We prepared things in advance, but we will stick to the law,” he said.
Current U.S. law prohibits living individuals, including sitting presidents, from appearing on American currency.
The development followed renewed attention to a bill introduced in 2025 by Republican Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina, proposing the creation of a 250-dollar note featuring Trump’s portrait.
Although the proposal has not been passed by Congress, reports indicated that some political appointees within the administration had reportedly explored draft concepts and design mock-ups tied to the proposal.
Bessent defended the broader idea of commemorative recognition tied to the country’s 250th independence anniversary, saying there was nothing inappropriate about discussions surrounding possible tribute measures.
“I don’t think there is anything untoward about having the president who is in office during the country’s 250th anniversary appear on the bill,” he added.
If eventually approved by Congress and implemented, Trump would become the first living person to appear on U.S. currency since the practice was banned in 1866.
The U.S. Treasury had earlier announced that Trump’s signature would appear on newly printed currency notes as part of standard executive authorisation changes.
The proposed commemorative bill has continued to generate debate among lawmakers, historians and political observers, with critics arguing that such a move could politicise national symbols, while supporters described it as a historic tribute linked to America’s milestone anniversary.
