White House proposes $250 bill with Donald Trump’s portrait for US 250th anniversary
Consensus Summary
The White House is advocating for a $250 bill featuring Donald Trump’s portrait to mark the US 250th anniversary of independence, requiring Congress to override the 1866 Thayer Amendment banning living persons on currency. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the Treasury is preparing prototypes but insists compliance with federal law depends on Capitol Hill. Legislation introduced by Republicans faces an uphill battle in the Senate, where Democrats like House Leader Hakeem Jeffries have dismissed the proposal as self-serving. Both sources agree that Treasury appointees, including Brandon Beach, have pushed for the design, while former Bureau of Engraving and Printing chief Patricia Solimene was reassigned for opposing the move. The controversy highlights broader efforts by the Trump administration to embed his image in federal symbols, including coins, buildings, and upcoming currency changes.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The White House is pushing Congress to approve a $250 bill featuring Donald Trump’s portrait to commemorate the US 250th anniversary of independence.
- Federal law (1866 Thayer Amendment) currently prohibits the image of any living person on US currency, bonds, or securities.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the Treasury would 'stick to the law' and that approval for the bill depends on Capitol Hill.
- Legislation to allow Trump’s image on the $250 bill is currently before the House and Senate, requiring a simple majority in the House but 60 votes in the Senate (Republicans hold 53 seats).
- House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the proposal on X, writing: 'Get over yourself. The upcoming July 4th anniversary is not about a wannabe King.'
- The artist behind the prototypes is Iain Alexander, a Briton described as a royal portrait artist, sculptor, and former Olympic squad swimmer.
- Treasury appointee Brandon Beach pushed the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to expedite the process for a new note, providing a design at the end of 2025.
- Former BEP chief Patricia Solimene was reassigned after opposing the decision, and Michael Brown (a top aide for Beach) became acting director of BEP on May 18, 2026.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Scott Bessent mentioned two mandates for US currency: no living person can be on currency, and it must say 'In God we trust'.
- Bessent predicted gas and oil prices would 'come down very quickly' after the US-Israel war in Iran ends.
- Bessent stated he believed the new Federal Reserve chair, Kevin Warsh, would 'do the right thing' to balance inflation and growth after their first meeting on May 28, 2026.
- The Washington Post reported that two of Trump’s political appointees at the Treasury pushed staff to start preparing prototypes of the $250 bill, raising legal concerns.
- The $250 note is valued at approximately $350 in Australian dollars.
- Republican State Representative Joe Wilson introduced legislation to create an exception for current and future presidents to appear on currency.
- The Trump administration has previously approved a commemorative anniversary coin featuring Trump’s image.
- Trump has draped banners with his face on federal buildings, renamed a federal building the Donald J Trump Institute of Peace, and rebranded the Kennedy Center to the Trump Kennedy Center.
- Trump’s signature will appear on US dollars later in 2026, and a government website called TrumpRx will sell prescription medication.
- The Trump Gold Card visa program allows immigrants to pay $1 million for residency in 'record time'.
- An environmental group sued the Trump administration over a National Parks pass featuring Trump and George Washington, arguing federal law requires images of public lands.
- Trump announced a new class of US warships named the 'Trump class', and the US Air Force’s newest jet is named the F-47 (referencing Trump as the 47th president).
- There are plans for an international airport in Florida to be named after Trump.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states Bessent said the $250 bill is 'for the 250th anniversary of independence', while ABC frames it as a 'commemorative note' without explicitly linking it to the anniversary in the same way.
- The Guardian reports Bessent said the legislation is 'for Donald J Trump', while ABC describes it as allowing 'current and future presidents' to be featured.
Source Articles
White House pushes Congress to approve $250 bill with Trump’s image
Treasury secretary says banknote would celebrate US’s 250th anniversary but Democrats vow to block move The White House is pushing Congress to approve a $250 bill bearing Donald Trump’s portrait, the US treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, said, which would require changing longstanding federal law that prohibits any living person from appearing on US currency. Speaking from the White House at a news conference, Bessent said the bill would be in celebration of the country’s 250th anniversary of in
Trump appointees push for $250 note featuring US president's face
The decision will be made by the US House and Senate, but reports say Donald Trump's supporters are pushing to expedite the process.