US Treasury Moves to Design $250 Bill Featuring Trump's Portrait

The United States Treasury Department is moving forward with preliminary design work on a proposed $250 banknote featuring the portrait and signature of President Donald Trump, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Administration officials have pushed the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to begin planning for the new denomination should legislation authorizing it become law.

If enacted, it would be the first time a living person has appeared on US currency in more than 150 years. Under current federal law, only deceased individuals may appear on United States banknotes.

The proposal requires an act of Congress to take effect.

Republican Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina introduced legislation directing the Treasury to print the $250 Federal Reserve notes. The bill has 15 Republican co-sponsors but has remained stalled in the House Financial Services Committee for over a year.

Even if it passes the House, it would require a 60-vote bipartisan majority in the Senate. Democrats are expected to oppose the measure.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the department's preparatory steps at a White House briefing on Thursday.

"At Treasury, we prepare things in advance," Bessent said. "If the legislation is passed, we will stick to the law."

Bessent dismissed concerns about the timing of the initiative, saying there was nothing "untoward" about placing the sitting president's image on a commemorative bill.

The Treasury Department stated that no taxpayer funds would be used to produce the new note, as the Bureau of Engraving and Printing finances its operations through product sales rather than congressional appropriations.

Separately, the State Department has already announced plans to issue limited edition passports featuring Trump's portrait and signature to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States.