Trump’s Signature Appears on $100 Bill Image Amid Push for Presidential Portraits on U.S. Currency

On July 3 2026, President Donald Trump posted an image of a $100 bill bearing his signature, following the Treasury Department’s March announcement that a sitting president’s signature would be featured on U.S. paper currency for the first time, in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary.

CNN

Historically, U.S. paper currency bears the signatures of the Treasury secretary and treasurer, not the president. In March 2026, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a plan to add the sitting president’s signature to the 250th-anniversary issue. Trump has previously sought to place his name or likeness on passports, national-park passes, airport naming, and other federal symbols. A House bill seeks to exempt a living president from portrait rule, and Bureau of Engraving and Printing has prepared prototypes for a $250 bill featuring Trump’s portrait.

CNN

• March 2026: Treasury announces plan to feature Trump’s signature on the 250th-anniversary issue.

CNN

• July 3 2026: Trump shares an image of a $100 bill with his signature; CNN contacts Treasury for printing status.

CNN

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said there is no concern about a president’s signature on the anniversary issue and noted that political appointees are preparing for it. U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach praised Trump’s economic record as a “Golden Age” and called the signature “appropriate and well deserved.” The portrait-exception bill would need Democratic Senate approval.

CNN

The U.S. code limits currency portraits to deceased individuals, blocking a living president’s image. Critics argue that adding a sitting president’s likeness politicizes a neutral medium and that bipartisan support is unlikely in the current Senate.

CNN

CNN has not received a response from the Treasury confirming whether the $100 notes with Trump’s signature are currently being printed, leaving the production status unverified.

CNN

• “The President’s mark on history as the architect of America’s Golden Age economic revival is undeniable. Printing his signature on the American currency is not only appropriate, but also well deserved,” — Brandon Beach, U.S. Treasurer

CNN

• “I don’t think that there’s anything untoward about having the President of the United States — that the person who was President of the United States on the 250th anniversary bill,” — Scott Bessent, Treasury Secretary

CNN

• “Yeah, of course. But we prepare for everything if it gets passed.” — Scott Bessent, Treasury Secretary

CNN

• “Only the portrait of a deceased individual may appear on United States currency and securities,” — United States Code

CNN

Treasury has not confirmed whether $100 notes with Trump’s signature are being printed, and Congress continues debate on House-sponsored portrait-exception bill. If the bill becomes law, Bureau of Engraving and Printing’s prototypes could be used to issue a $250 anniversary bill featuring Trump’s portrait, setting a precedent for presidents.

CNN