Critics say the move politicizes currency and risks blurring the line between national symbols and personal branding
US President Donald Trump’s signature is set to appear on US paper currency starting this summer, the Treasury Department said on Thursday.
It will mark the first time a sitting US president’s signature has appeared on legal tender.
The Treasury said the redesign is intended to mark America’s upcoming 250th anniversary. Trump’s signature is expected to replace that of the US treasurer, altering a long-standing convention, while the Treasury secretary’s signature will remain and no new imagery will be added.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the move is appropriate for the Semiquincentennial, calling it a way to recognize the achievements of both the country and President Trump. He said the first $100 bills bearing Trump’s signature alongside his own will be printed in June, with other denominations to follow in subsequent months.
Earlier this month, a federal arts panel approved a commemorative gold coin featuring Trump as part of the 250th anniversary celebrations. Plans for a $1 coin with his image have also been floated, but could face legal challenges, as US rules generally do not allow living people to appear on currency.
Democrats criticized the move, arguing that it comes as Americans face rising costs, including higher fuel prices. In December, several Democratic senators introduced a bill aimed at preventing Trump from appearing on US currency, including the proposed $1 coin.
Critics also say the move politicizes currency and risks blurring the line between national symbols and personal branding, even calling it royal-style behavior.
In his second term, Trump has pushed to stamp his name across government programs and institutions. Initiatives include a TrumpRx drug website and a high-priced ‘Trump Gold Card’ offering residency and a path to citizenship. His image appears on some National Park passes, and his name has been added to signage at the US Institute of Peace. He also renamed a Florida roadway to ‘President Donald J. Trump Boulevard’, drawing criticism from some residents as politically motivated and undeserved.
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