Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent weighed in Thursday on growing speculation about a proposed $250 bill featuring President Donald Trump, stressing that any such move would ultimately be up to Congress, while also defending the Treasury Department&#8217;s preparations should legislation pass.
The issue surfaced during a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/watch-live-karoline-leavitt-briefs-press-as-iran-troop-deployment-rumors-swirl?topStoryPosition=undefined&amp;author=Daily+Wire&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=1&amp;rowHeadline=Top+Stories&amp;rowType=Top+Stories&amp;title=LIVE+COVERAGE%3A+Scott+Bessent+Steps+Up+To+Brief+America+While+Leavitt+Is+On+Maternity+Leave">White House press briefing</a> when Bessent was asked how long it would take for Americans to see his signature as Treasury secretary next to Trump’s face on newly created currency. 
“As Treasury Secretary, I have two mandates for U.S. currency at present,” Bessent replied. “That no living person can be on U.S. currency, and the currency must say ‘In God We Trust.’”
Bessent explained that proposed legislation already moving through Congress would change the long-standing prohibition on living individuals appearing on American currency. 
“So right now, there is proposed legislation from the House, in front of the Senate, to change the first requirement, so that a living person, Donald J. Trump, could be on the $250 bill,” he said. “So it’s all up on Capitol Hill.”
The Treasury secretary also confirmed that the department has already begun preparing in case the legislation becomes law.
<iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cJU43UBoUMM?si=F7qIqJgOxxYSG515" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> 
“At Treasury we prepare things in advance, so we have prepared in advance that if the legislation is passed, but we will stick to the law,” Bessent said.
Later in the briefing, reporters repeatedly pressed Bessent on whether he personally believed placing Trump on currency was politically wise, especially amid continued concerns about inflation and affordability. Bessent pushed back against the framing of the question and again clarified that the proposal is not being initiated directly by Trump himself.
“The President doesn’t do it,” Bessent said. “The House and the Senate have to do it.” 
Bessent also mocked a Thursday <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2026/05/28/trump-250-bill-pushed-by-treasury-appointees/">Washington Post</a> report about the proposal after reporters cited it while questioning Treasury’s internal preparations. 
“I don’t really understand this Washington Post article,” Bessent said. “Yeah, terribly written, terribly edited.” 
He argued the story merely confirmed that Treasury was following existing law while preparing for the possibility Congress could approve the legislation.
“We prepare for everything if it gets passed,” Bessent said. “You can’t draw something up the day before.”
When reporters again asked whether it was politically appropriate to place Trump on currency, Bessent tied the proposal to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States.
“I don’t think that there’s anything untoward about having the President of the United States — the person who was President of the United States on the 250th anniversary bill,” he said.
The proposal comes as the Trump administration increasingly looks for ways to commemorate America’s semiquincentennial celebration in 2026, with some supporters pushing for new coins, currency, and memorial projects honoring Trump’s role during the anniversary year.

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

Treasury Secretary Confirms Preparations For Trump $250 Bill

CONTINUE READING

The Daily Wire’s Luke Rosiak Blew The Lid Off Billions In Fraud. Now Comes The Reckoning.

SEE IT: Feminist AOC Wears Symbol That Oppresses Women

Spencer Pratt Makes Case For Why L.A. Will Shock The Political World

EXCLUSIVE: DHS Vows Crackdown After $21 Million Autism Fraud Scheme

‘Virginians Will Cook Her’: Top Democrat Crashes Out On Spanberger In Public Feud

Action Backpacks And VPNs: Are Left-Wing Groups Training Your Kid To Be A Political Activist?

News

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Menu

— News —

Treasury Secretary Confirms Preparations For Trump $250 Bill