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U.S. Plans Commemorative Passport, Coin, and Currency Featuring President Trump for 250th Anniversary

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America’s 250th: Trump’s Image and Signature on Passports, Coins, and Currency

For the first time in U.S. history, a living president’s portrait will appear on a passport, a commemorative gold coin, and all new paper currency—sparking legal questions and political debate.

The United States government is undertaking several initiatives to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, which include featuring President Donald Trump’s image and signature on a limited-edition passport, a commemorative gold coin, and all new paper currency. These actions involve multiple federal agencies and have prompted both legal scrutiny and political debate.

Commemorative Passport

The U.S. State Department announced it will issue a limited-edition passport to commemorate the nation's semiquincentennial. The passport will include a photograph of President Trump on the inside cover, surrounded by text from the Declaration of Independence and a U.S. flag, with his signature rendered in gold. A separate page will feature a painting of the Founding Fathers signing the Declaration of Independence.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated the passports will include "customized artwork and enhanced imagery" while retaining existing security features. Between 25,000 and 30,000 passports are expected to be available, beginning shortly before July 4, exclusively for applicants who apply in person at the Washington Passport Agency. This marks the first instance of a living U.S. president appearing on a passport.

Commemorative Gold Coin

The U.S. Mint is proceeding with the production of a 24-karat gold commemorative coin featuring an image of President Trump. The design was approved without objection by the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, a federal agency whose members were appointed by President Trump. The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) did not review the final design, though the Mint stated it fulfilled its statutory obligation to seek their input.

Design and Specifications

  • Obverse: An image of President Trump in a suit and tie, leaning forward with both fists on a desk. The inscriptions include "LIBERTY" at the top, "IN GOD WE TRUST" at the bottom, and the dates "1776–2026." It features seven stars on one side and six on the other.
  • Reverse: A bald eagle in midflight, with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" on the right and "E PLURIBUS UNUM" on the left.

The coin's final size and denomination remain under discussion. U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach confirmed the coin is distinct from circulating currency and falls under the Treasury Secretary’s discretion.

Legal Context

Federal law (31 U.S.C. § 5112) generally prohibits depicting living individuals on U.S. currency intended for circulation. However, Treasury officials cited a distinct statutory authority allowing the minting of gold coins that can feature the sitting president. The Treasury Secretary has sole discretion over the designs and inscriptions of certain bullion and proof gold coins. Megan Sullivan, acting chief at the Office of Design Management at the U.S. Mint, stated that the Treasury Secretary presented the design to President Trump, who selected it.

Commissioner Chamberlain Harris, a White House aide, described the image as "a very strong and a very tough image" and stated that celebrating a sitting president presiding over the country's 250th year on a commemorative coin was fitting. Commissioner James McCrery II suggested a larger coin size, noting President Trump's preference for larger items.

“A very strong and a very tough image.” — Commissioner Chamberlain Harris, on the coin’s design

Related $1 Coin Proposal

The U.S. Mint has also explored the concept of releasing a $1 coin featuring President Trump's likeness for circulation. This would represent a deviation from established U.S. coinage practices. Historically, U.S. currency has not depicted images of sitting presidents; for instance, George Washington's image was not placed on a coin until 1932, over a century after his death. Douglas Mudd, curator and director of the Money Museum at the American Numismatic Association, characterized this potential move as "an absolute break from tradition."

Paper Currency Signature

The U.S. Treasury Department announced that President Trump's signature will appear on all new U.S. paper currency, alongside the signature of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. This is the first time a sitting president's signature will be featured on U.S. banknotes, which have traditionally carried the signatures of the Treasury Secretary and the Treasurer (or previously, the Register of the Treasury) since paper currency was first printed in 1861. The Treasurer's signature will be removed to facilitate this change.

The initial $100 bills bearing the new signatures are scheduled for printing in June, with other denominations to follow in subsequent months. The overall design of the bills will not change. Over $2 trillion in Federal Reserve notes are currently in circulation.

Treasury Department Justification

Treasury Secretary Bessent stated that the initiative is intended to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States, recognizing "the historic achievements of our great country and President Donald J. Trump" and attributing "unprecedented economic growth, lasting dollar dominance, and fiscal strength and stability" to President Trump's leadership. U.S. data indicates that GDP grew 2.2 percent in 2025, slightly below the 2.5 percent average from 2022-2024. U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach stated that printing President Trump’s signature on American currency "is not only appropriate, but also well deserved."

Legal and Legislative Responses

Michael Bordo, director of the Center for Monetary and Financial History at Rutgers, noted that the Treasury Secretary may have the authority to determine who signs the currency, a power delegated by Congress in 1862 to design and print paper currency. Democrats in Congress have introduced legislation to prevent any living or sitting president from being featured on any U.S. currency. Nine Democratic senators formally communicated to the Treasury Secretary urging rejection of the proposed Trump $1 coin.

Rep. Shontel Brown (D-OH) described the Treasury plan as "gross and un-American." California Governor Gavin Newsom responded to the currency announcement by stating, "Now Americans will know exactly who to blame as they're paying more for groceries, gas, rent, and health care."

“Now Americans will know exactly who to blame as they're paying more for groceries, gas, rent, and health care.” — Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA)

Broader Anniversary Initiatives

The commemorative passport, gold coin, and currency are part of a series of initiatives tied to the "America250" celebrations. Additional efforts include:

  • A banner featuring President Trump at the Department of Justice building, and banners at the Departments of Labor and Agriculture.
  • A National Parks pass for 2026 depicting President Trump alongside George Washington.
  • Draft designs for a $1 coin and a commemorative 24-karat gold coin.
  • A proposed 250-foot golden victory arch, provisionally approved despite negative public feedback.
  • A Grand Prix race on the National Mall and a UFC fight on the White House south lawn.

These initiatives follow other actions by the administration to associate President Trump's name with cultural and federal institutions, including the renaming of the U.S. Institute of Peace, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (both subjects of lawsuits), and a new class of battleships. President Trump's name also previously appeared on COVID-19 stimulus checks distributed in 2020.