US government prepares to print $250 note featuring Trump's face
The U.S. Treasury has confirmed plans to issue a new $250 banknote to mark the country's 250th anniversary, with the front of the bill featuring President Donald Trump's portrait, BBC reported. The decision breaks a long-standing convention against placing a sitting president on circulating currency and has drawn legal and political pushback.
Under the plan announced by the U.S. Treasury, a new $250 note will enter limited circulation in the second half of 2026 to mark the 250th anniversary of the 1776 Declaration of Independence. The front of the bill will carry President Donald Trump's portrait, while the reverse will depict the signing of the Declaration. Officials said both a collector edition and a smaller circulating run would be issued.
Long-standing U.S. convention dating from the 19th century has barred the depiction of living people on circulating currency. A Treasury spokesperson said a temporary 1864-era provision was being invoked to suspend that practice for the anniversary, and the Trump administration described the bill as a 'one-off commemorative tribute' tied to the 250th anniversary. Democratic senators said the convention had not been changed by statute and remained open to judicial review.
With cash use declining, analysts expect the $250 note to circulate only sparingly in everyday payments. Federal Reserve officials said the new denomination would have no meaningful effect on inflation or money supply, while numismatic collectors anticipate strong secondary-market interest given the symbolic anniversary. The Library of Congress and the Money Museum have begun planning related exhibits.
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