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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent weighed in Thursday on growing speculation about a proposed $250 bill featuring President Donald Trump, stressing that any such move would ultimately be up to Congress, while also defending the Treasury Department’s preparations should legislation pass.<\/span><\/p>\n The issue surfaced during a <\/span>White House press briefing<\/span><\/a> when Bessent was asked how long it would take for Americans to see his signature as Treasury secretary next to Trump\u2019s face on newly created currency. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAs Treasury Secretary, I have two mandates for U.S. currency at present,\u201d Bessent replied. \u201cThat no living person can be on U.S. currency, and the currency must say \u2018In God We Trust.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Bessent explained that proposed legislation already moving through Congress would change the long-standing prohibition on living individuals appearing on American currency. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSo right now, there is proposed legislation from the House, in front of the Senate, to change the first requirement, so that a living person, Donald J. Trump, could be on the $250 bill,\u201d he said. \u201cSo it\u2019s all up on Capitol Hill.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The Treasury secretary also confirmed that the department has already begun preparing in case the legislation becomes law.<\/span><\/p>\n \n\u201cAt Treasury we prepare things in advance, so we have prepared in advance that if the legislation is passed, but we will stick to the law,\u201d Bessent said.<\/span><\/p>\n Later in the briefing, reporters repeatedly pressed Bessent on whether he personally believed placing Trump on currency was politically wise, especially amid continued concerns about inflation and affordability. Bessent pushed back against the framing of the question and again clarified that the proposal is not being initiated directly by Trump himself.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe President doesn\u2019t do it,\u201d Bessent said. \u201cThe House and the Senate have to do it.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n