Trump’s signature set to appear on US dollar bills in historic break with tradition

In a move that breaks with more than a century of precedent, Donald Trump, the president of the United States is set to have his signature printed on United States dollar bills while still in office, according to an announcement from the Treasury Department.

The decision marks the first time a sitting president’s name will appear on US banknotes, a role historically reserved for treasury officials. The change will see Trump’s signature printed alongside that of Scott Bessent as part of commemorations for the country’s 250th anniversary.

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“There is no more powerful way to recognise the historic achievements of our great country and President Donald J Trump than US dollar bills bearing his name,” Bessent said, framing the move as both symbolic and celebratory.

The first redesigned 100-dollar notes are expected to enter production in June, with wider circulation to follow. Current bills carry the signatures of former Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and U.S. Treasurer Lynn Malerba, in line with a convention that dates back to 1861.

That long-standing practice has been a quiet but consistent feature of American currency, reinforcing the institutional role of the Treasury rather than the political office of the presidency. The planned shift signals a notable departure, placing the sitting president more directly on one of the most recognisable symbols of the US economy.

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The announcement is the latest in a series of efforts by the administration to associate Trump’s name with public initiatives and national milestones. Earlier this month, a federal arts commission approved a commemorative gold coin bearing his image to mark the same anniversary.

The policy has already drawn political reaction. Gavin Newsom, a prominent Democrat and long-time critic of Trump, used the moment to question the president’s economic record.

“Now Americans will know exactly who to blame as they are paying more for groceries, gas, rent, and health care,” he wrote on social media.

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Supporters, however, argue the move reflects a broader effort to celebrate national identity ahead of a landmark year in American history. The anniversary marks 250 years since the original thirteen colonies declared independence from Britain, an event that laid the foundation for the modern United States.