Controversial Proposal: Donald Trump on $100 Bill Spurs Heated Discussions

A new bill proposed by a Texas congressman would replace Benjamin Franklin with Donald Trump on the $100 bill, requiring changes to U.S. law that prohibits living persons from appearing on currency.

Top Takeaways

Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) introduced the “GOLDEN AGE ACT” to put President Trump’s portrait on the $100 bill.
Current U.S. law prohibits living individuals from appearing on currency, requiring legal changes for the proposal to proceed.
The legislation would phase in the new bills over several years, with full implementation by 2029.
A similar proposal by Rep. Joe Wilson suggests creating a new $250 note featuring Trump instead.
The last major change to U.S. banknote portraits occurred in 1929.

Texas Congressman Proposes Trump Replace Franklin on $100 Bill

Republican Representative Brandon Gill of Texas has introduced legislation dubbed the “GOLDEN AGE ACT” that would place President Donald Trump’s portrait on the $100 bill, replacing Benjamin Franklin. The freshman congressman announced the proposal on social media, positioning it as a recognition of Trump’s impact on American history. If enacted, the bill would require significant changes to existing regulations that currently prevent living persons from being featured on U.S. currency. Gill, a first-term House Republican and staunch Trump supporter, has garnered support from fellow Texas Representative Troy Nehls, who co-sponsored the measure.

The legislation outlines a specific timeline for implementation, stating that no $100 bill may be printed after December 31, 2028, without featuring Trump’s portrait. The Treasury Department would be required to release a preliminary design by December 31, 2026, with the new notes fully introduced by 2029. This structured approach gives federal officials several years to develop and transition to the new currency design, assuming the legislation passes both chambers of Congress and receives presidential approval.

Historical Context and Legislative Hurdles

The proposal faces substantial legislative hurdles beyond just partisan politics. U.S. law currently prohibits portraits of living persons from appearing on government securities, including currency. This restriction would need to be amended before Trump could appear on any denomination of U.S. currency. Additionally, the $100 bill featuring Benjamin Franklin has remained largely unchanged in basic design since 1929, when the last major overhaul of U.S. currency portraits took place. Franklin, while never president, holds the distinction of being one of the few non-presidents featured on commonly circulated U.S. currency.

“I’m introducing the GOLDEN AGE ACT to put President Donald J. Trump on the $100 bill. America is experiencing an historic rebirth under President Trump—his legacy deserves to be immortalized,” Gill said on social media.

An alternative proposal has emerged from Representative Joe Wilson, who suggests creating an entirely new $250 note featuring Trump rather than replacing Franklin on the existing $100 bill. This approach would avoid removing a Founding Father from currency while still honoring the president. The dual proposals highlight growing efforts among some Republican legislators to secure Trump’s place in national iconography, similar to discussions among supporters about adding his likeness to Mount Rushmore.

In a major insult to Ben Franklin, Republican Congressman @RepBrandonGill has introduced a bill that would put a picture of President Donald Trump on every $100 bill starting in 2029. pic.twitter.com/DKFp08IQ69

— Tyler Englander (@TylerEnglander) March 3, 2025

Political Symbolism and Public Reaction

Gill has framed the proposal as a recognition of Trump’s personal sacrifice and policy achievements. In statements supporting the legislation, he emphasized Trump’s decision to seek a second term rather than retiring, as well as his efforts on border security, trade relationships, energy independence, and foreign policy. The congressman shared a mockup image showing Trump’s face overlaid on a $100 bill with the caption “Let’s make history,” signaling the symbolic importance he attaches to the measure.

“President Trump could be enjoying his golden years golfing and spending time with his family. Instead, he took a bullet for this country and is now working overtime to secure our border, fix our uneven trade relationship with the rest of the world, make America energy independent again, and put America first by ending useless foreign aid.” – Rep. Brandon Gill

Public reaction to the proposal has been predictably divided along political lines. Supporters view it as an appropriate recognition of Trump’s significance to American politics, while critics question the timing of such symbolic gestures amid pressing economic concerns like inflation and high consumer prices. The bill’s prospects for passage remain unclear, but it has already succeeded in generating discussion about how and when historical figures should be formally honored by the government, particularly those whose legacies remain actively contested in contemporary political discourse.