The $250 bill story has unfolded over more than a year. This timeline assembles the publicly reported events in chronological order, with citations to verified sources.
February 2025: Wilson introduces H.R.1761
On February 27, 2025, Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) announces and introduces the "Donald J. Trump $250 Bill Act." His X post, accompanied by an AI-generated mockup of the proposed bill, calls Trump "the most valuable President" and frames the bill as a response to inflation. The legislation is referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
August–September 2025: Treasury appointees present mockups
According to the Washington Post's reporting, U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach presents Bureau of Engraving and Printing staff with mockup designs for the proposed $250 bill during August and September 2025. One mockup features Trump's portrait between the signatures of the President and the Treasury Secretary.
October 2025: Mike Brown joins Treasury
Senior Adviser Mike Brown formally joins the Treasury Department as a Trump appointee in October 2025. He had previously served as senior adviser to Beach and as chairman of the Kansas Republican Party.
December 2025: H.R.1761 referred forward in committee
The bill is referenced in committee activity but does not receive a hearing or markup. As of mid-2026 it remains in committee.
January 2026: Andy Barr posts the mockup on X
On January 8, 2026, Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) posts a photograph on X showing himself with Treasurer Beach holding a mockup of the $250 bill featuring Trump's portrait. Barr writes: "America is turning 250 — and it's time to make more history!"
March 2026: Trump signature on $100 bill announced
The Treasury Department announces that Trump's signature will appear on U.S. paper currency starting with $100 bills produced in June 2026 — a first for a sitting U.S. president. This action does not require Congress because signatures are not subject to the 1866 ban.
May 28, 2026: Washington Post reporting
The Washington Post publishes its investigation, citing four current and former Treasury and BEP employees who describe sustained pressure from Beach and Brown to prepare prototypes of the $250 bill. The report also documents the reassignment of BEP director Patricia Solimene after she pushed back on the project's timeline.
May 28, 2026: Treasury response and Bessent press briefing
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hosts the White House press briefing on the same day the Washington Post story publishes. He confirms the bureau has prepared designs as contingency planning, criticizes the Post's framing, and emphasizes that any actual issuance of the bill is "up to Congress."
May 28, 2026: Coverage spreads
The story is picked up by CNN, NPR, CBS News, NBC's MS NOW, Rolling Stone, The Hill, The New Republic, and dozens of other outlets through the day. International coverage follows in the South China Morning Post, British outlets, and European financial press.
May 28, 2026: $TRUMP250 USA token launches
The community memecoin $TRUMP250 USA launches on Pump.fun the same day, riding the news cycle.