Treasury Considers $250 Bill Featuring President Trump

The Treasury Department is evaluating the creation of a $250 bill that would feature President Trump. Such a bill would require a change in federal law, according to an official from the agency who spoke to CBS News.

The Washington Post initially reported on this development, which arises from legislation proposed last year by Representative Joe Wilson, a Republican from South Carolina. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent discussed the potential $250 bill at a White House press briefing.

“Currently, U.S. currency cannot depict a living person, and it must bear the phrase ‘In God We Trust’,” Bessent stated. “There is, however, proposed legislation in Congress aiming to alter this so that a living person, namely Donald J. Trump, could be on the $250 bill. We are prepared to act if the legislation is passed, but we will adhere to existing laws.”

“Should the legislative mandate be signed into law, the Bureau is moving proactively to produce a $250 commemorative note which will appropriately recognize the 250th Anniversary of our great nation,” said an official from the Treasury Department in an email to CBS News.

Federal law specifies that only deceased individuals may be featured on American currency. Wilson’s proposal aims to amend the Federal Reserve Act, compelling the Treasury Secretary to produce these $250 bills featuring Trump’s portrait. The “Donald J. Trump $250 Bill Act” was introduced to Congress in February 2025 and referred to the House Committee on Financial Services on the same day. Since then, no further progress has been reported.

President Trump has actively promoted the inclusion of his name or image on various forms of currency over the past year. In March, the Treasury announced plans for future currency to include Trump’s signature. By October, the department revealed efforts to develop a $1 coin, featuring Trump’s likeness, to commemorate the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence on July 4th.

In response to inquiries about the bill’s design, the Treasury Department pointed CBS News to Representative Wilson’s legislation. Wilson’s website features an AI-generated design mockup with Trump’s likeness on the left of a $250 note. The Washington Post cited a similar mockup provided by the White House to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, showing a design in green ink with Trump’s image centered.

According to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, currency designs usually take years to finalize. They are typically revealed to the public six to eight months before release to mitigate counterfeit risks. The Treasury official emphasized that any circulating ‘designs’ or ‘mockups’ are not authentic.

The proposed $250 bill would join other currency initiatives for the nation’s 250th anniversary. In December 2025, the Treasury revealed new designs for nickels, dimes, quarters, and half dollars that will be minted in 2026. “The designs on these historic coins illustrate America’s journey towards a ‘more perfect union’ and celebrate the country’s defining ideals of liberty,” stated the U.S. Mint on its website.