MAGA isn't sold on Trump's face on the $250 bill
The short version
- Why it matters: Trump enjoys 91% approval overall among his most loyal base, but less than half of self-identified MAGA Republicans want to see Trump's face on cash .
- By the numbers: Roughly 26% of MAGA supporters oppose putting Trump's face on the currency, while 48% approve of the plan, according to the poll . Another 26% are unsure. Among Republicans more…
- Catch up quick: A congressional ally of the president is pursuing a proposal to place Trump's face on a "commemorative note" to honor America's 250th anniversary. While the proposal has stalled…
- Yes, but: Congress passed a law prohibiting the depiction of a living person on currency notes, bonds or securities in 1866. Another law specifies that currency is minted in $1, $2, $5…
- Go deeper: Why $250 bills bearing Trump's face are a tough legal sell Editor's note: This story has been updated with Bessent's comments.
The story
Over a quarter of President Trump's MAGA loyalists don't want the Treasury to print $250 bills with his face on them, according to a new YouGov poll.
Why it matters: Trump enjoys 91% approval overall among his most loyal base, but less than half of self-identified MAGA Republicans want to see Trump's face on cash.
By the numbers: Roughly 26% of MAGA supporters oppose putting Trump's face on the currency, while 48% approve of the plan, according to the poll.
- Another 26% are unsure.
- Among Republicans more broadly, 35% oppose the president's portrait on currency while 40% approve. Twenty-four percent are unsure.
Catch up quick: A congressional ally of the president is pursuing a proposal to place Trump's face on a "commemorative note" to honor America's 250th anniversary.
- While the proposal has stalled in Congress, a Treasury official reportedly requested mock-ups of the bill to review.
Yes, but: Congress passed a law prohibiting the depiction of a living person on currency notes, bonds or securities in 1866.
- Another law specifies that currency is minted in $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 denominations. A $250 bill is not included.
What we're watching: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told a congressional committee Wednesday that the prototypes were an attempt to be "prepared in advance" in case legislation authorizing the bill gained momentum.
- "That was in coordination with pending legislation in the Congress to change the requirement that a person must be deceased to be on the currency," Bessent said, adding that the department "will follow the law" and won't proceed without congressional authorization.
Methodology: The poll surveyed 1,604 U.S. adults between May 29 - June 1. The margin of error is ± 3.5%.
Go deeper: Why $250 bills bearing Trump's face are a tough legal sell
Editor's note: This story has been updated with Bessent's comments.
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How other outlets covered this
Compare allAlto found this story at 5 outlets. Same event, different framing — compare the headlines.
- ZeroHedgeFake News, Part I: The Long History9 days ago
- The VergeIt’s about ethics in journalism, with Ben Smith10 days ago
- Google NewsSenate GOP isn’t sold on Mike Johnson’s budget blueprint - Politicoabout 1 month ago
- AxiosMAGA isn't sold on Trump's face on the $250 bill3 months ago
- APA history of E. Jean Carroll’s legal battle with President Donald Trump3 months ago
How this story developed
Full timelineAlto has tracked this across 11 days of coverage from 5 outlets.
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