A Washington Post story revealed that the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing has considered mock-ups for a potential $250 bill featuring President Donald Trump's face, intended to commemorate America's 250th birthday. This notion quickly ignited controversy in Washington D.C., with Democrats expressing dismay and labeling the proposal an "illegal vanity project."
The realization of such a banknote would necessitate congressional approval. A Treasury Department spokesperson confirmed today that the agency is "conducting appropriate planning and due diligence" in preparation for a bill sponsored by Republican Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina. Rep. Wilson, in a statement on X, said, "I am looking forward to final passage of this bill."
However, the proposed legislation has been stalled in committee for over a year. With pressing issues like rising gas prices amidst the Iran war and upcoming midterms, Republican leaders are unlikely to prioritize a measure authorizing an unusual currency denomination featuring the President. Furthermore, the 1866 Thayer Amendment explicitly "prohibits the portrait or likeness of any living person on currency notes, bonds, or securities," posing a significant legal barrier to the proposal.