Trump wants new $250 bill to feature his Fulton County Jail mugshot

WASHINGTON, 31 May. - (ANA) - Donald Trump has reportedly been pushing for his portrait to be printed on a $250 banknote.

Brandon Beach, the US treasurer, and his adviser, Mike Brown – who were both hand-picked by Mr Trump – urged staff at the US treasury’s bureau of engraving and printing to create mock-ups of the bill, the Washington Post reported.

The US president is said to have discussed designs with the artist, including one featuring his 2023 Fulton County Jail mugshot. The bill would be released to mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of the US.

Scott Bessent, the treasury secretary, told reporters on Thursday he did not think there was “anything untoward” about having the person who was president at the time of the anniversary on the bill.

He said there was legislation in congress to potentially change the law that prevented living people from appearing on US currency. The mock-ups were created to prepare for if the bill passes, he said.

Mr Bessent said: “At present, no living person can be on US currency and the currency must say In God We Trust. Right now, there is proposed legislation in front of the Senate to change the first requirement so a living person – Donald J Trump – could be on the $250 bill.

“So we’ve prepared in advance that if the legislation is passed, we will stick to the law.”

The bill was introduced to the house in February 2025 by Joe Wilson, a Republican congressman, but was said to have made little progress.

Treasury employees told the Post there had been some alarm at the request because of the illegality of printing or engraving images of living people on US currency.

Mr Beach is said to have provided bureau staff with designs for the note, including one that showed an image of Mr Trump in the middle of the bill, with his and Mr Bessent’s signatures. In a mock-up of the note, obtained by the Post, Mr Trump’s 2023 mugshot appeared to have been used.

The image was taken at Fulton County Jail on Aug 24 2023, following Mr Trump’s indictment on charges of election racketeering.

According to Ian Alexander, the British artist who claims to have designed the note, Mr Trump asked for tweaks to the design, including adding the colours of the US flag and a logo commemorating the 250th anniversary of America’s founding.

Mr Alexander told the  Post that Mr Trump refers to him as his “favourite British artist”.

A living person has not appeared on a US banknote since 1886. The practice was outlawed after a mid-level treasury secretary’s portrait was featured on a five-cent note.

A treasury spokesman told the Post the office was “conducting appropriate planning and due diligence” in response to the proposal.   - (ANA) - 

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