$250 bill mock-ups feature Trump's portrait. But there's a catch.

WASHINGTON — The Treasury Department has prepared mock-up designs for a new $250 bill that would feature President Donald Trump's portrait, a move that would make him the first living person featured on American currency in more than 150 years.

However, whether the Trump $250 bill is ever released ‒ and becomes official currency ‒ likely depends on the passage of Republican-backed legislation that has failed to advance in Congress.

A Treasury spokeswoman confirmed the department is "conducting appropriate planning and due diligence" to prepare for a bill sponsored by Rep. Joe Wilson, R-South Carolina, that would direct Treasury to produce a $250 bill with Trump's portrait on it to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding.

As part of the effort, U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach provided the Bureau of Engraving and Printing with mock-up designs for the bill that featured Trump's face in the middle of the note, the Washington Post reported on May 27. The mock-ups, which were printed, alarmed staff at the printing bureau, according to the Post, because it typically takes several years to produce new currency due to legal and procedural obstacles.

A copy of the $250 bill, obtained by the Post, shows Trump's signature to the left of the president's portrait and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's signature to the right. The portrait was designed by British painter Iain Alexander. Trump has personally signed off on the designs, the Post reported.

The Treasury Department, in a statement, said Beach "never asked staff to print the bill before congressional passage."

"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 Treasury spokeswoman said.

Legislation for $250 Trump bill hasn't advanced in Congress

Federal law states "only the portrait of a deceased individual" maybe appear on U.S. currency and securities. The prohibition of living people appearing on currency goes back to 1866, when Congress took action after a Treasury official, Spencer Clark, was able to put himself on notes.

Bessent, asked by reporters about the $250 bill mock-ups featuring Trump, said the Treasury department "prepared in advance" of the legislation potentially passing Congress.

"It's all up in Capitol Hill," Bessent said at a White House press briefing, later adding that he doesn't see anything inappropriate with putting Trump's portrait on the currency.

"I don't think that there's anything untoward about having the person who is president of United States on the 250th anniversary bill," Bessent said.

Wilson's bill to honor Trump on a $250 bill would effectively supersede the 1866 prohibition on using images of living people on currency.

But the legislation could be a longshot to advance. It has remained stalled in the House Committee on Financial Services for more than a year, and the bill would need 60 votes for passage in the Senate to block a Democratic filibuster.

"Grateful to commemorate President Trump’s legacy of greatness and the 250 anniversary of America," Wilson said in a statement. "I am looking forward to final passage of this bill."

The printing bureau doesn't plan to release final artwork for the $250 bill unless Congress approves the legislation.

And if the bureau follows its own rule and procedures, it seems unlikely a $250 bill could be produced this year to mark the nation's founding.

The bureau's website says the banknote development process requires "extensive testing which can take years to successfully complete" and that designs of notes are "typically made public six to eight months ahead of time for global public education and cash handler education purposes."

$250 bill joins growing list of proposed Trump-currency 

The $250 bill isn’t the first 250-related currency the Treasury has proposed to honor Trump. Earlier this year, the agency announced plans to print Trump's face on a $1 circulating coin commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. It’s also preparing to emblazon the president’s image on a small batch of 24k gold commemorative coins for the country’s 250th anniversary.

The $1 coin features a side portrait of the president, while the commemorative gold coin design includes a picture taken by the chief White House photographer of Trump leaning over the Resolute Desk.   

Both efforts were unanimously approved by the Commission of Fine Arts, an advisory board whose members were handpicked by Trump.

Democratic members of Congress have argued the president’s efforts to mint his image on dollars and coins violates the 1866 law that limits only portraits of deceased individuals to appear on currency. But commemorative coins are exempt from the prohibition.

Treasury has argued its authority for the $1 coin comes from a 2020 law allowing the pressing of celebratory 250th anniversary pieces.

According to the American Numismatic Association, which deals with artifacts related to money, one other living president did appear on a coin: Calvin Coolidge. In 1926, a half-dollar for the Sesquicentennial, or 150th anniversary, featured Coolidge and Washington.

In March, the Treasury announced plans to print Trump’s signature on all future paper currency, starting with the $100 bill in June. It will mark the first time a sitting president’s signature will appear on American banknotes. Bessent said the change was intended to honor the country's 250th anniversary.

Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.