Treasury Department is weighing a $250 bill with Trump’s image
The Treasury Department is currently exploring the possibility of issuing a $250 bill featuring President Trump, although such a banknote would require a change in federal law, according to an agency official who spoke with CBS News. This development, first reported by the Washington Post, is in response to legislation proposed by Rep. Joe Wilson, a Republican from South Carolina.
During a White House press briefing, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent addressed the potential $250 bill, explaining that current U.S. currency regulations prohibit living individuals from being featured on banknotes and require the inclusion of the phrase “In God We Trust.” However, pending legislation could change these requirements to allow for a portrait of Donald J. Trump on the $250 bill. Bessent emphasized that any such bill would adhere to the law.
A Treasury Department official confirmed to CBS News via email that the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) is actively preparing for the production of a $250 commemorative note in response to the proposed legislation. If the legislation is signed into law, the BEP will move forward with creating a bill to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the United States.
Current federal law dictates that only deceased individuals can appear on U.S. currency and securities. Wilson’s bill seeks to amend the Federal Reserve Act to require the Treasury secretary to print $250 bills featuring a portrait of President Trump. While the “Donald J. Trump $250 Bill Act” was introduced in Congress in February 2025, it has since stalled in the House Committee on Financial Services.
President Trump has previously expressed interest in having his name or image featured on various forms of currency. The Treasury announced plans for future currency to bear his signature, and there were discussions about a $1 coin with the president’s image to mark the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.
As for the design of the proposed $250 bill, a mock-up featured on Rep. Wilson’s website shows a color portrait of Mr. Trump on the left-hand side of the note. Another version, provided by White House officials to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing staff, depicts a bill with shades of green ink and a central image of the president.
The process of developing new currency designs typically takes years, with designs only being released to the public six to eight months before circulation to deter counterfeiters. The Treasury Department emphasized that any circulating designs or mock-ups are not real.
If the $250 bill featuring President Trump comes to fruition, it would join a series of new designs unveiled for coins minted in 2026 to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary. The U.S. Mint highlighted that these designs symbolize America’s journey toward a “more perfect union” and celebrate the country’s ideals of liberty.
In conclusion, the potential introduction of a $250 bill with President Trump’s portrait represents an ongoing discussion within the Treasury Department and Congress. The decision will ultimately hinge on legislative actions and adherence to federal regulations governing U.S. currency.
