Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday that the agency could create a $250 bill featuring President Donald Trump, but that does not mean social media users are buying it.
Bessent's Statement
Bessent told reporters that while federal law prohibits featuring living people on U.S. currency, there is legislation in the House to change that requirement so that his boss can be on the proposed bill. Although Trump has a habit of putting his name and likeness on anything possible, Bessent insisted his administration is not lobbying for the bill and said the decision is solely in the hands of the House and the Senate.
Historical Context
It has been illegal to put a living person on U.S. currency since 1866, although there is a special provision for currency commemorating an event. Bessent stated, "I don't think there is anything untoward about having the president of the United States — the person who is president of the United States — on the $250 bill."
Social Media Reaction
Social media users did not seem as excited as Bessent about seeing Trump's face in their wallets. Many mocked the idea, with one user saying, "This would have been much more useful when our nation was out of toilet paper." Another user commented, "I'd vote for this before that TBH." Critics pointed out that no living president has been on U.S. currency for 150 years due to a law against it, calling it something "dictators and autocrats do." Some noted that George Washington declined to be featured on currency when he was alive, fearing it would be reminiscent of a monarch. Others questioned the practicality, asking who carries around a $250 bill, especially with a criminal's face on it.
However, one person saw a positive aspect: Bessent's willingness to let Congress do its job. Gregg Nunziata tweeted, "A welcome concession from the White House that we have a Congress and that the laws it passes matter."
