Trump Officials Push for $250 Bill Featuring President’s Portrait, Sparking Controversy

Political appointees in President Donald Trump’s administration have reportedly pressured the U.S. agency responsible for printing American currency to develop a design for a new $250 bill featuring Trump’s portrait. If implemented, it would mark the first time in more than 150 years that a living person appeared on U.S. currency.

Patricia “Patty” Soliman, the first female director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), reportedly faced consequences for opposing the effort. According to reports, she was abruptly removed from her position last month after raising legal and procedural objections to the proposal. In a farewell email to colleagues, Soliman wrote, “The buck stopped here,” signaling her refusal to compromise on legal accountability and institutional principles.

The revelations were detailed in a report by The Washington Post, which stated that two senior Treasury Department political appointees — U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach and his senior adviser Mike Brown — repeatedly pressured BEP staff over the past year to prepare draft designs for the proposed note.

The issue has triggered anger and concern among BEP employees. Several staff members, speaking anonymously, said current federal law strictly prohibits the use of a living person’s portrait on U.S. currency. No living individual has appeared on American money since 1866, when Congress passed legislation banning the practice after a government official’s image was placed on a five-cent note.

According to the report, Treasurer Brandon Beach provided sample designs to BEP staff in August and September of last year. One of the proposed designs reportedly featured Donald Trump’s portrait prominently at the center of the $250 bill, alongside the signatures of both Trump and current Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

British artist Ian Alexander acknowledged creating the design and claimed that Trump personally suggested modifications. According to Alexander, Trump requested the addition of U.S. flag colors and the logo commemorating America’s upcoming 250th anniversary. The artist added, “Trump likes to call me his favorite British artist.”

The reverse side of the proposed note reportedly included an image of Betsy Ross, the woman traditionally credited with creating the first American flag, under a “women’s liberation” theme — an idea Alexander said Trump strongly favored.

Former BEP director Soliman and technical experts within the bureau repeatedly warned the administration that designing and securing a new currency note typically requires six to eight years. Developing modern anti-counterfeiting features is considered a lengthy and highly technical process.

One employee criticized the administration’s approach, saying, “These political officials think you can print a note overnight and immediately have it work in ATM machines. It’s complete madness.”

After Soliman refused to proceed due to legal concerns, she was reportedly replaced on April 27. Mike Brown, another Trump ally, was appointed acting director in her place.

Although legal obstacles remain regarding the proposed $250 bill, work has reportedly already begun on printing $100 notes bearing the signature of a sitting U.S. president for the first time in American history. The notes are being produced at the bureau’s downtown Washington facility. Currency experts noted that there are no legal restrictions on presidential signatures appearing on banknotes.

The Trump administration is set to begin celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of American independence in July this year. Officials are reportedly eager to introduce the commemorative $250 note as part of the broader anniversary campaign.

A related bill has been introduced in Congress but remains pending. In a statement, the Treasury Department said it is preparing in advance in case Congress approves the proposal as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations.

Meanwhile, the State Department reportedly announced last month that it would begin issuing special passports featuring Trump’s image and signature, despite no formal legal authorization having yet been granted.