Appointees of President Donald Trump are making a push for the politician to be the face of the planned $250 banknote.
According to The Washington Post, the administration for the 47th U.S. president is aiming for Trump to be the first living president on national currency in 150 years. 2 of President Trump’s main appointees, U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach and his senior adviser, Mike Brown, have sought the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to create prototypes of the banknote. This causes a conflict with the federal law, however, as only deceased figures are allowed to appear on dollar bills.
Last August and September, Beach provided bureau staff with mock-up designs of the tender, which depicts Trump’s portrait between his signature and the signature Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
British visual artist Iain Alexander was commissioned for the portrait and was requested to add colors of the American flag, along with a logo commemorating the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding.
A Treasury Department rep has since stated that the printing office “is conducting appropriate planning and due diligence.” A bill was introduced over a year ago that would allow the department to make $250 bills with Trump’s image, but it has not yet passed.
“Should this legislative mandate be signed into law, the BEP is moving proactively to produce a $250 commemorative note, which will appropriately recognize the 250th Anniversary of our great nation,” the statement read.
The move was pushed back against by former printing bureau director Patricia “Patty” Solimene, who warned Beach and Brown that it would possibly take years of legal and procedural issues for the banknote to be produced. Solimene left her position on April 27 for another position in the Treasury Department.
