THE US government is attempting to overturn a 160-year old law to print a $250 banknote featuring Donald Trump's face.
US law bars any living person from appearing on the currency, but US secretary to the treasury Scott Bessent has said preparations are underway in the hope an exception can be made for the current president.
Legislation was introduced last year to allow this to potentially happen.
Speaking at the White House on Thursday, Bessent said a design had been prepared in anticipation of a change in the law.
“Right now, there is proposed legislation – front of the House, in front of the Senate – to change the first requirement so that a living person, Donald J Trump, could be on a $250 bill,” Bessent said.
It came after The Washington Post reported that treasurer Brandon Beach, a Trump appointee, has been pushing the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to expedite the process for a new currency note to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
“I don’t think that there’s anything untoward about having the president of the United States, the person who’s president of the United States, on the 250th anniversary bill,” Bessent told reporters.
It is the latest example of Trump trying to boost his personal brand while in office.
Last month the US State Department said it is preparing a limited release of commemorative passports celebrating America’s 250th birthday that feature a picture of Donald Trump.
Between 25,000 and 30,000 of the new passports will be available to applicants at the Washington DC passport office beginning shortly before July 4.
Trump’s signature is also set to appear on US currency as part of plans to mark the 250th anniversary, which is a first for a sitting president. US banknotes have only ever featured the signatures of the Treasury secretary and the treasurer.
In March, the US Commission of Fine Arts, led by Trump appointee Rodney Mims Cook Jr, also approved the minting of a commemorative gold coin featuring president's face which relied on a legal loophole.
