In a move stirring national debate, freshman Texas Congressman Brandon Gill has introduced the “Golden Age Act of 2025,” proposing to replace Benjamin Franklin’s image on the $100 bill with that of President Donald Trump. Gill, representing Texas’s 26th district, asserts that President Trump’s contributions to America’s progress merit this high honor.
Gill’s proposal mandates that the U.S. Treasury Secretary unveil a preliminary design featuring President Trump by December 31, 2026, with all $100 bills produced after December 31, 2028, bearing the new image. He emphasizes Trump’s efforts in securing borders, renegotiating trade deals, achieving energy independence, and prioritizing American interests as justification for the change.
However, this initiative faces significant legal obstacles. Federal law explicitly prohibits depicting living individuals on U.S. currency, a statute enacted in 1866 to prevent the appearance of a monarchy or undue influence. This law was established after public uproar when Spencer Clark, a living official, appeared on currency. Therefore, any attempt to feature a living person, including President Trump, on currency would require legislative amendments to existing laws.
The bill’s progression is uncertain, particularly in the Senate, where overcoming a Democratic filibuster necessitates a 60-vote majority. Similar proposals have surfaced before; for instance, Representative Anna Paulina Luna introduced a bill to add President Trump’s likeness to Mount Rushmore, but it failed to gain traction.
Critics argue that altering currency imagery should be reserved for individuals with enduring historical significance, cautioning against politicizing national symbols. Supporters, however, contend that President Trump’s policies have ushered in a “golden age” for America, warranting such recognition.
As the “Golden Age Act of 2025” awaits deliberation, it ignites discussions about the criteria for honoring individuals on national currency and the balance between tradition and contemporary acknowledgment.
Sources:
- Texas Congressman Wants Trump on the $100 Bill
- Trump’s Face on U.S. Currency? Texas Lawmaker Pushes Proposal
- Why American Currency Can Only Feature Dead People
- Republicans Propose Trump’s Image on $100 Bill
- Who Is on U.S. Currency? A Look at Banknote Figures
- GOP Lawmaker Introduces Trump Currency Bill
- Trump $100 Bill Proposal Faces Legal Roadblocks
- Will Trump’s Face Be on Future U.S. Banknotes?
- YouTube Video – Congressman Brandon Gill on Trump $100 Bill Proposal
