Trump’s Signature to Appear on US Currency—1st Time in History for a Sitting President

President Donald Trump’s signature will appear on future U.S. paper currency in honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States, the first time that this has happened for a sitting president, according to the U.S. Treasury Department.

Typically, U.S. paper notes display the signatures of the Treasury secretary and the treasurer, not the president.

The plan to include Trump’s signature on paper currency is in commemoration of the country’s 250th birthday, the Treasury said. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s signature will also feature on the notes.

“There is no more powerful way to recognize the historic achievements of our great country and President Donald J. Trump than U.S. dollar bills bearing his name,” Bessent said in a statement.

Although past presidents’ signatures are not on the actual bills, their faces are.

The $1 bill features President George Washington, the $2 bill features President Thomas Jefferson, and the $5 bill depicts President Abraham Lincoln. President Andrew Jackson is on the $20 bill and President Ulysses S. Grant is on the $50 bill. Other currency features Founding Fathers Alexander Hamilton ($10 bill) and Benjamin Franklin ($100 bill), although the two were not presidents.

The first $2 note was authorized in 1775 by the Continental Congress.

The Commission of Fine Arts approved designs for a 24-karat commemorative gold coin featuring Trump as part of its March meeting, according to commission materials.

An image of that proposed coin depicts Trump in a suit leaning forward over a table with both hands resting on its edge, his expression unsmiling.

The plan to mint coins bearing Trump’s image has drawn scrutiny as federal law bars putting living presidents on U.S. currency.

Democrats criticized the Treasury’s move to put Trump’s signature on bills, with some pointing to affordability issues.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote on X, “Now Americans will know exactly who to blame as they’re paying more for groceries, gas, rent, and health care.”

Treasurer Brandon Beach, in a statement, called Trump the “architect of America’s Golden Age economic revival.”

“Printing his signature on the American currency is not only appropriate, but also well deserved,” Beach said.