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Trump's signature to appear on US currency
US President Donald Trump will make history next month as the first sitting president to have his signature printed on federal banknotes, the Treasury Department confirmed on Friday.
Unprecedented move tied to national milestone
The decision marks a break from long-standing tradition, where only the Treasury Secretary and US Treasurer sign currency. Trump's signature will appear alongside that of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on new $100 bills, with production set to begin in June. Additional denominations will follow.
Bessent framed the change as a tribute to America's 250th anniversary, calling it "the most powerful way to recognize the historic achievements of our great country and President Donald J. Trump." The anniversary commemorates the 1776 Declaration of Independence.
Tradition upended amid broader branding push
Since 1861, US banknotes have featured the signatures of the Treasury Secretary and Treasurer-a role currently held by Brandon Beach. Beach stated the currency would "continue to stand as a symbol of prosperity, strength, and the unshakable spirit of the American people," though he did not address the shift in tradition.
The move aligns with the administration's broader efforts to associate Trump's name with government initiatives. During his first term, his signature appeared on COVID-19 relief checks, and earlier this month, a federal commission approved a 24-karat gold coin bearing his image to mark the semiquincentennial.
Critics decry economic record
California Governor Gavin Newsom, a vocal Trump critic, condemned the announcement on social media. "Now Americans will know exactly who to blame as they're paying more for groceries, gas, rent, and health care," he wrote.
Currently circulating notes bear the signatures of former Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Treasurer Lynn Malerba, appointed under President Joe Biden.
Timeline and next steps
The first $100 bills featuring Trump and Bessent's signatures are scheduled for release in June. The Treasury Department has not specified when other denominations will be updated or whether the change will extend beyond the 250th-anniversary period.
