Treasury Prepares Prototype $250 Bill Featuring Trump’s Face

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has confirmed that plans are underway for a $250 bill featuring President Donald Trump’s portrait. However, this idea would require a Congressional vote to become a reality.

Interestingly, it’s been over 150 years since a living person was depicted on U.S. currency. Back in 1866, Spencer M. Clark, who was leading the National Currency Bureau at the time, ended up printing his own image on a 5-cent bill, advocating for a law that would keep living people off banknotes.

Fast forward to now, as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, Bessent and senior advisor Mike Brown have reportedly pushed the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to design a prototype showcasing Trump’s face on the new bill. This was mentioned in a Washington Post report that stated Bessent had provided mock-up designs since last August, specifically highlighting Trump’s image featured prominently between the signatures of both the president and himself.

Anonymous Treasury officials have expressed concerns that issuing a bill with Trump’s image could conflict with existing laws. Despite this, some Republican lawmakers have begun to explore legal changes to enable the printing.

In February 2025, Congressman Joe Wilson from South Carolina attempted to formally introduce a bill requesting the Treasury Secretary to print such notes, but it was not heard in the House Financial Services Committee. Still, both Bessent and Beach, along with Trump, reportedly supported Wilson’s initiative.

Earlier this year, Rep. Andy Barr from Kentucky shared a photo with Bessent, showcasing a prototype featuring Trump’s face alongside a design commemorating the upcoming anniversary.

During a press briefing, Bessent acknowledged the bill still needs Congressional backing, but the Treasury Department aims to have a prototype ready “in advance” of any legal changes.

He noted that historically, the rules dictate that the person on the bill must be deceased, and the phrase “In God We Trust” must be included. Bessent emphasized that the decision to change the first rule lies with Congress.

Artist Ian Alexander, who was commissioned for the mock-up, mentioned that Trump was enthusiastic about including a “women’s liberation” theme on the bill’s reverse side, featuring Betsy Ross. The Treasury Department stated that if the bill is signed into law, they are prepared to create a commemorative $250 note celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary, though they clarified that no request to print the bill was made prior to Congressional approval.