Trump Appointees Push for $250 Bill Featuring President’s Portrait, WaPo ReportsBy 17GEN4 News | May 28, 2026

Trump Appointees Push Bureau of Engraving to Design $250 Bill with President’s Portrait

Trump Appointees Push Bureau of Engraving to Design $250 Bill with President’s Portrait

Trump Appointees Push for $250 Bill Featuring President’s Portrait, WaPo Reports

17GEN4 News | May 28, 2026

Trump administration officials have been actively pressing the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to design a new $250 banknote featuring President Donald Trump’s portrait, according to a Washington Post investigation published today.

The effort, led by political appointees at the Treasury Department, would mark the first time a living person has appeared on U.S. paper currency in more than 150 years, potentially requiring changes to long-standing federal restrictions.

Details of the Push

According to four current and former employees cited by the Post, two key Trump appointees — U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach and his senior adviser Mike Brown — have repeatedly urged staff at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) since last year to prepare prototypes of the $250 note.The push gained momentum in August 2025, with officials directing the BEP to begin design work tied to America’s 250th anniversary (Semiquincentennial) on July 4, 2026. Treasury officials have described the effort as “proactive planning” in anticipation of potential legislation.The proposal is connected to H.R. 1761, the “Donald J. Trump $250 Bill Act,” introduced in February 2025 by Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC). The bill would:

• Direct the Treasury to print $250 Federal Reserve notes featuring Trump’s portrait.

• Create an exemption to 19th-century laws (including the Thayer Amendment) that generally prohibit living individuals from appearing on U.S. currency.

The legislation remains stalled in committee and has not advanced.

Resistance and Reassignment

The effort reportedly faced internal pushback. BEP Director Patricia Solimene resisted the directive, reportedly telling colleagues that “the buck stops with her.” She was reassigned in April 2026.Current and former BEP employees expressed concerns that the project could violate existing law, as federal rules have long restricted currency portraits to deceased individuals (with rare historical exceptions in the 1800s).

Related Development: Trump’s Signature on Currency

Separately, in March 2026, the Treasury Department announced that President Trump’s signature will appear on future U.S. paper currency alongside the Treasury Secretary’s. Officials framed this as a way to honor the nation’s 250th anniversary, marking the first time a sitting president’s signature has been placed on circulating currency.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated at the time that the move recognizes “the historic achievements of our great country and President Donald J. Trump.”

Context and Reactions

The push for a Trump $250 bill fits into broader administration efforts to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence. Critics have called the portrait proposal inappropriate and potentially unlawful without congressional approval, while supporters view it as a fitting tribute.

No official confirmation has come from the White House or Treasury regarding the status of the $250 bill prototypes. The Washington Post reporting is based on interviews with multiple people familiar with internal discussions.The story is developing rapidly following today’s exclusive report.

Trump Appointees Push Bureau of Engraving to Design $250 Bill with President’s Portrait

Trump Treasury officials, including U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach, have urged the creation of a $250 banknote featuring the president’s portrait for America’s 250th anniversary — the first living person on U.S. currency in over 150 years, per Washington Post reporting.

17GEN4 News - 17GEN4.com