The Trump administration is reportedly considering releasing a new one-dollar coin featuring Donald Trump’s image, a move that has sparked widespread concern and criticism. This would be an unusual and controversial step because U.S. law explicitly forbids putting the likeness of any living person on national currency. Critics say the proposal raises fresh worries about Trump’s continued push toward authoritarian-style self-promotion.
According to reports from Politico, the proposed coin shows Trump raising his fist, surrounded by the words “FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT.” On the back, there’s said to be a profile of Trump alongside the inscription “1776–2026,” marking 250 years of U.S. history, and the phrase “IN GOD WE TRUST.” The design mirrors much of Trump’s personal branding seen on his campaign merchandise, collectibles, and even online projects like Truth Social, where political trolling and misinformation often thrive.
Despite how unbelievable this might sound, officials say the idea is indeed real. U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach reportedly supervised the draft, and the Treasury Department even issued a statement defending it. The statement credited Trump’s “historic leadership” and said the design “reflects the enduring spirit of our country and democracy, even in the face of immense obstacles.”
However, legal experts were quick to point out that this proposal directly conflicts with the Coinage Act of 1866, which bans using the likeness of any living person on American money. The law was originally created to prevent the U.S. presidency from resembling a monarchy — ensuring that no leader could elevate themselves to “king-like” status through national symbols.
Supporters of the coin argue that the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States might justify an exception. In 2020, Congress passed a law allowing for a special $1 coin to celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial. Still, the law does not override the Coinage Act’s restrictions. When the country celebrated its 200th anniversary in 1976, the commemorative coin featured President Dwight D. Eisenhower, but he had already passed away, staying within the legal boundaries. By that same logic, historians note, this new coin should feature a deceased president, perhaps Jimmy Carter or George H. W. Bush, if tradition is to be respected.
When pressed on the issue, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt gave a cautious response. She said she wasn’t sure whether Trump was even aware of the proposed coin but added that she was confident he “would love the design if he saw it.”
If the administration tries to move forward with minting this coin, legal experts predict a flood of lawsuits and a likely court battle. Because the plan clashes directly with long-standing federal law and constitutional principles, most expect the courts to strike it down before any coin ever reaches circulation.
In short, the Trump $1 coin may never exist, but the very idea of it has reignited concerns about political ego, legality, and the delicate balance between patriotism and personality cults in American democracy.
