Trump Administration Seeks $250 Bill Featuring President's Portrait

The Donald Trump administration is seeking to create a new $250 U.S. currency denomination featuring the president's portrait and signature to mark the nation's 250th anniversary. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has unveiled design mock-ups created by British artist Iain Alexander, though he maintains that production is contingent on congressional action. Under the 1866 Thayer Amendment, federal law currently prohibits living persons from appearing on official U.S. currency.

To bypass this legal hurdle, Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina introduced the Donald J. Trump $250 Bill Act (H.R.1761) in February 2025. While the Treasury has conducted advance planning, the legislation remains stalled in the House Committee on Financial Services. Internal turmoil has also emerged at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, where Director Patricia Solimene was reportedly reassigned after warning that the agency lacked the legal authority to proceed and resisting pressure from U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach to expedite prototypes.

Democratic leaders, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senator Mark Warner, have condemned the proposal as a vanity project detached from economic challenges and rising inflation. Conversely, Joe Wilson argued the bill responds to inflation by forcing families to carry more cash. While the $250 note remains stalled, the Treasury is moving forward with Trump's image on commemorative gold coins and a $1 circulating coin, and will begin printing the president's signature on all future paper currency starting with the $100 bill in June.