South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson has caused a stir with his plan to create a $250 bill featuring Donald Trump’s face, despite a longstanding law prohibiting living individuals from appearing on U.S. currency.
At a Glance
- Rep. Joe Wilson is drafting legislation to place Donald Trump’s face on a new $250 bill
- Wilson cites “Bidenflation” as justification for higher denomination currency
- An 1866 law prohibits living people from appearing on American currency
- The proposal is part of broader Republican efforts to honor the President
- Trump has separately called for ending penny production due to cost inefficiency
Wilson’s Controversial Currency Proposal
South Carolina Republican Representative Joe Wilson has announced plans to draft legislation that would place President Donald Trump’s image on a new $250 bill. Wilson revealed his intentions on social media platform X, stating that economic conditions under the Biden administration necessitate higher denomination currency. The proposed bill would feature a stern-looking image of the former president, according to Wilson’s announcement.
“‘Bidenflation’ has destroyed the economy forcing American families to carry more cash. Most valuable bill for most valuable President!” Joe Wilson said.
— Nick Flor 🥋+🇺🇸 (@ProfessorF) February 8, 2025
The Congressman’s proposal faces significant legal challenges before it becomes a reality. An 1866 law explicitly prohibits the depiction of living individuals on U.S. currency, a tradition that has been maintained throughout American history. This regulation would require Wilson to either seek an exemption for Trump or propose repealing the law entirely. The restriction has remained in place to prevent the monarchical practice of placing ruling leaders on money.
Wilson, who represents South Carolina’s 2nd congressional district, is no stranger to controversy. He gained notoriety in 2017 when he shouted “You lie!” during former President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address. More recently, Wilson has been vocal in international affairs, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal and advocating for free elections in Georgia.
Trump’s Own Currency Positions
While Wilson pushes for the President’s face on currency, Trump himself has focused on different monetary issues. The fPresident has recently directed criticism at the production of pennies, calling for their discontinuation due to their production costs exceeding their face value.
“For far too long the United States has minted pennies which literally cost us more than 2 cents. This is so wasteful!” Donald Trump said.
Trump’s perspective on penny production aligns with economic arguments that have been made by various fiscal conservatives for years. However, eliminating the penny would require congressional approval, making it more complex than a simple presidential directive. The President has also expressed interest in inspecting the U.S. gold reserve at Fort Knox, suggesting a broader interest in monetary policy.
Wilson’s proposal represents a continuing trend among Republicans to elevate Trump’s status in American history. Other lawmakers have previously suggested adding Trump to Mount Rushmore or amending the Constitution to allow him to serve a third presidential term. These efforts underscore Trump’s enduring influence within the Republican Party even after leaving office.
Is it time we started treating Trump like the historic president he is?
