Donald Trump’s former presidential rival Hillary Clinton is among critics mocking the push to print a new $250 note featuring his portrait.

Trump administration officials have reportedly pressured the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) to create the note – which would be the first time a living person has appeared on US currency in more than 150 years.

The Washington Post said on Thursday (US time) that four current and former employees at the bureau had spoken about the push on condition of anonymity because they feared retribution.

It shared a mock-up design for the $250 note created by British painter Iain Alexander, who told the Post that Trump liked to call him “his favourite British artist”.

Clinton, who was defeated by Trump in the 2016 US presidential campaign, shared the story on X with a mocking comment highlighting rising costs in America.

“By the end of Trump’s term, it’ll be just enough to buy one gallon of gas and a carton of eggs,” she wrote.

By the end of Trump’s term, it’ll be just enough to buy one gallon of gas and a carton of eggs. pic.twitter.com/FRA3s7a6YS

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) May 28, 2026

Current federal laws prevent US money being printed with the image of someone who is still alive, but Trump’s allies in Congress last year introduced legislation that would enable an exception to be made to the currency rule for the country’s semiquincentennial.

The legislation has not yet been passed but a Treasury spokesperson told the Post “appropriate planning and due diligence” was being conducted by the printing office.

“Should this legislative mandate be signed into law, the BEP is moving proactively to produce a $250 commemorative note which will appropriately recognise the 250th anniversary of our great nation,” it said in a statement.

US treasury secretary Scott Bessent also confirmed that the Treasury was preparing for the new currency.

“As treasury secretary, I have two mandates for US currency at present: that no living person can be on US currency, and the currency must say ‘In God we trust’,” he told a press conference at the White House.

“So, right now, there is proposed legislation in front of the House, in front of the Senate, to change the first requirement, so that a living person – Donald J Trump – could be on the $250 bill.”

Trump has already shown a fondness for having his name emblazoned on public buildings across the country, and his face is also set to appear on a recently approved 24-carat commemorative gold coin marking the United States’ 250^th anniversary.

Top US House Democrat Hakeem Jeffries is among those who have lashed the $250 banknote plan, telling the President to “get over yourself”.

Hard No on a Trump $250 bill.

Get over yourself.

The upcoming July 4th anniversary is not about a wannabe King.

It’s about celebrating the American journey.

— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) May 28, 2026

Clinton’s social media post about the new note echoed the argument of US Senator Mark Warner, a Democrat from Virginia.

“As Americans struggle with the rising cost of gas, groceries, housing, and health care, President Trump’s priorities for taxpayer dollars are completely detached from the challenges families face every day,” said Warner, a member of the Senate’s Committee on Banking.

“If this White House put even half as much energy into working to lower costs as it does into stoking the President’s ego, American families wouldn’t need that new $250 bill just to fill up their gas tanks.”

According to the Post, the printing bureau director, who pushed back against the pressure the prepare the prototypes in advance of the law change, was “abruptly reassigned” by Treasury bosses at the end of April.

The law banning a living person appearing on US currency was introduced in 1866, with Britannica reporting it saying it was prompted by “a silly act of vanity” by a Treasury official named Spencer Clark, who decided to put himself on banknotes intended to honour explorer William Clark, of Lewis and Clark fame.

“The congressional bill authorising the creation of the note only specified that it should honour ‘Clark’, and so Spencer Clark decided to memorialise himself,” the website states.