Trump to grace $1 coins as Treasury pushes controversial currency plan

The U.S. Treasury Department is facing controversy over its announcement to mint $1 coins bearing the likeness of President Donald Trump. The move, revealed by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant via social media, is intended to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States' founding.

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The U.S. Mint will begin minting new coins featuring President Trump's portrait to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.

This is not the first time the Trump administration has sought to place his image on U.S. currency. Previously, Trump's signature was added to new banknotes, and there was a push to issue $250 bills featuring his portrait. While the new banknotes are reportedly being printed, the issuance of $250 bills would require congressional legislation due to a law preventing the use of living individuals' images on paper money.

The Treasury Department's plan to feature Trump on a $1 coin has reignited debates about U.S. currency design and national identity. A law enacted in 1866 prohibits the use of living individuals' images on U.S. currency to avoid any appearance of monarchy. However, the Treasury argues that the commemorative coins can be issued under the "Circulating Commemorative Coin Redesign Act of 2020."

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Penny (1 cent coin) is gone, nickel (5 cent coin) has a hole plugged, and now they're making gold commemorative coins nobody can afford.

The proposal has drawn criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. Republican Representative Thomas Massie questioned the practicality and potential for fraud associated with such commemorative coins. Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan deemed the initiative "absurd and un-American," suggesting that the public would prefer a president focused on economic relief rather than personal commemoration.

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The American people want a president who puts money in their pockets, not one who puts their face on money.