WASHINGTON — May 28, 2026 : Officials within the Trump administration are advancing efforts to prepare a proposed $250 commemorative banknote featuring President Donald Trump’s portrait as part of activities linked to the United States’ 250th anniversary, according to a report published by The Washington Post on May 28.
The proposal, which remains under internal review and would require congressional approval, has reportedly been discussed despite a longstanding federal law enacted in 1866 prohibiting living individuals from appearing on U.S. paper currency.
Treasury Officials Pursue Preliminary Planning
According to the report, U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach and senior adviser Mike Brown, both Trump administration appointees, repeatedly directed staff at the Treasury Department’s Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) to prepare design concepts and prototypes for the proposed denomination beginning in 2025.
Treasury officials reportedly shared mock-up designs depicting President Trump’s portrait in the center of the note, accompanied by the signatures of the President and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The proposal is tied to broader preparations for the country’s semiquincentennial, marking 250 years since American independence.
Design Concept and Commemorative Features
British painter Iain Alexander, who created the concept artwork, said he met with President Trump to review the designs. According to Alexander, Trump endorsed the artwork and suggested specific revisions, including the addition of American flag colors and a logo commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The proposed design reportedly also includes a Betsy Ross-themed reverse side, reflecting themes associated with the country’s founding and anniversary celebrations.
Legal and Legislative Challenges
The proposal faces legal barriers under federal law commonly referred to as the 1866 restriction, which prohibits the image of a living person from appearing on U.S. bonds, securities, notes, or postal currency. Existing U.S. currency law also limits portraits on federal banknotes to deceased individuals.
To address those restrictions, Representative Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) introduced the Donald J. Trump $250 Bill Act in February 2025. The legislation would direct the Treasury Department to issue a $250 Federal Reserve note featuring Trump’s likeness and establish an exemption for individuals who have served as President.
The bill was referred to the House Financial Services Committee and has not advanced further.
Bureau Concerns Over Feasibility
Current and former Bureau of Engraving and Printing employees reportedly expressed concerns over both legal authorization and implementation timelines. Currency experts cited in the report said designing, securing, and testing a new high-denomination banknote typically takes between six and eight years to ensure compatibility with anti-counterfeiting systems, ATMs, and broader financial infrastructure.
Former BEP Director Patricia “Patty” Solimene reportedly pushed back against requests from Treasury officials, informing leadership that the bureau lacked authority to proceed without congressional approval and emphasizing the extended timeline required for production. Following internal disagreements, Solimene was reassigned from her post by Treasury management in late April 2026.
Treasury Department Response
In a public statement, a Treasury Department spokesperson confirmed that the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is conducting preliminary planning related to active legislation introduced by Representative Wilson.
The department said the bureau is carrying out due diligence to prepare for potential future authorization and stated that Treasurer Brandon Beach had “never asked staff to print the bill before congressional passage.”
Broader Semiquincentennial Initiatives
The proposed $250 note forms part of a broader set of commemorative initiatives linked to the July 2026 anniversary celebrations. In March 2026, the Treasury Department announced that President Trump’s signature, alongside Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s, would appear on standard U.S. paper currency.
Separately, a federal arts panel recently approved the final design of a 24-karat gold commemorative coin bearing Trump’s likeness.
As of May 28, 2026, no $250 banknote featuring President Trump has been approved, authorized, or produced, and discussions on the proposal remain under review within the Treasury Department and Congress.
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