The US Department of the Treasury announced on 26/3 that President Donald Trump's signature will soon appear on USD banknotes. This marks the first time a sitting US president's signature will be printed on the nation's currency.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent affirmed this decision honors the achievements of the US and President Trump. "Under President Donald Trump's leadership, we are on track to achieve economic growth, maintain USD dominance, and ensure financial stability", Secretary Bessent stated. He added that "issuing this currency on the nation's 250th anniversary is entirely fitting."

President Trump signing an executive order at the White House in 2/2025. *Photo: AP*.

According to the Department of the Treasury, the first 100 USD notes with signatures of President Trump and Secretary Bessent will be printed in June, with lower denominations following. This also marks the first time the US Treasurer's signature has been removed from currency since 1861, when the US federal government first issued paper money.

The change in signature on banknotes is the latest effort to associate Trump's name with national symbols. A commemorative gold coin design featuring President Trump's image was approved by a federal arts council whose members he appointed.

Previous efforts to feature Trump's image on the one USD coin were hindered by regulations prohibiting depictions of living individuals on US coins. However, banknote printing regulations grant the Department of the Treasury discretion for design changes to combat counterfeiting. US law only requires the retention of elements like "In God We Trust" and permits portraits of deceased individuals. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) under the US Department of the Treasury continues to produce banknotes with signatures of former Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and former US Treasurer Lynn Malerba, appointed during former President Joe Biden's administration.

Vu Hoang (According to AFP, Reuters)