US currency to bear Trump’s signature in first for a sitting president

US President Donald Trump writes his signature.

Photo: Reuters The US Treasury Department plans to put US President Donald Trump’s signature on all new US paper currency, the agency announced on Thursday.

The move would be a first for a sitting president, since traditionally, US paper currency carries the signatures of the Treasury secretary and the treasurer, not the president.

The news was first reported by Vanity Fair.

It was the latest instance of Trump putting his name and likeness on American cultural institutions, following his renaming of the US Institute of Peace, the Kennedy Centre performing arts venue and a new class of battleships, among other tributes.

And the plans come in tandem with an ongoing effort to get Trump’s face on a coin.

Earlier this month, a federal arts commission approved the final design for a 24-carat gold commemorative coin bearing Trump’s image to help celebrate America’s 250th birthday on July 4.

Last week, an advisory commission hand-picked by Donald Trump approved the design of a commemorative gold coin featuring his image.

Photo: US Mint via Reuters Treasury said the plan to include Trump’s signature on all new paper currency was intended to honour the nation’s 250th birthday, and that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s signature would also appear on the currency.

Bessent said in a statement that “there is no more powerful way to recognise the historic achievements of our great country” than with US dollar bills bearing Trump’s name.

US Treasurer Brandon Beach said in a statement that printing Trump’s signature on the American currency “is not only appropriate, but also well deserved”.

The US Bureau of Engraving and Printing is responsible for producing all paper currency while the US Mint produces all the coins.

Democrats criticised the move in part because the announcement comes as Americans face rising costs at the grocery store and the petrol pump.

The war in Iran, which began February 28, has caused oil and gas prices to soar, deepening people’s affordability concerns.

Democrat congresswoman Shontel Brown tweeted on X Thursday evening that the Treasury plan is “gross and un-American.

But at least it will remind us who to thank when we pay more for gas, goods, and groceries,” she said.

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