Texas Congressman Brandon Gill has introduced legislation that would place President Donald Trump’s portrait on the $100 bill, but the proposal faces significant legal hurdles as U.S. law prohibits living persons from appearing on currency.
At a Glance
- Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) introduced the “GOLDEN AGE ACT” to replace Benjamin Franklin with Donald Trump on the $100 bill
- Current U.S. law prohibits living individuals from appearing on currency, requiring legal amendments for the proposal to succeed
- The act sets a timeline for implementation, with new bills to be fully introduced by 2029
- Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) has co-sponsored the measure, while a separate proposal suggests putting Trump on a new $250 note
- The last major change to U.S. banknote portraits occurred in 1929
Proposed Legislation Aims to Honor Trump’s Legacy
Republican Representative Brandon Gill of Texas has introduced legislation called the “GOLDEN AGE ACT” that would place President Donald Trump’s portrait on the $100 bill, replacing founding father Benjamin Franklin. The first-term congressman believes Trump’s contributions to America warrant this level of recognition, comparing the President to historical figures like Washington, Lincoln, and Reagan. Gill’s proposal reflects a growing sentiment among Trump supporters that the former president’s legacy should be permanently honored in American culture.
“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.
Gill further emphasized his admiration for the President by stating, “Washington. Lincoln. Reagan. TRUMP. It’s time to make history.” The Texas congressman shared an image of Trump overlaid on a $100 bill on social media with the caption “Let’s make history,” signaling his commitment to advancing the proposal despite potential challenges. Representative Troy Nehls, also from Texas, has joined as a co-sponsor of the measure.
Legal Hurdles and Implementation Timeline
The proposal faces significant legal obstacles as current U.S. law explicitly prohibits living individuals from appearing on currency. For the GOLDEN AGE ACT to succeed, lawmakers would need to amend existing legislation before any redesign could take place. This requirement represents a substantial hurdle for the bill, which is unlikely to gain bipartisan support in the current political climate. The proposal comes at a time when many Americans are more concerned about pressing economic issues such as food and gas prices.
“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. Gill said.
Despite these challenges, the legislation outlines a specific timeline for implementation. If passed, the act specifies that no $100 bill may be printed after December 31, 2028, without featuring Trump’s portrait. A preliminary design would be released by December 31, 2026, with new bills fully introduced in 2029. This deliberate approach allows time for design, production, and distribution processes necessary for such a major currency change.
Historical Context and Alternative Proposals
The United States has not significantly altered the portraits on its banknotes since 1929, when Andrew Jackson replaced Grover Cleveland on the $20 bill. Benjamin Franklin, who currently appears on the $100 bill, was never President but earned his place as a prominent Founding Father, inventor, and statesman. This historical context underscores the significance of Gill’s proposal, which would break nearly a century of tradition in American currency design.
“There has been no one who has done more to bring America into the golden age than President Trump,” Gill said in a statement Monday. “Featuring him on the $100 bill is a small way to honor all he will accomplish these next four years.”
An alternative proposal from Representative Joe Wilson suggests creating an entirely new $250 note featuring Trump rather than replacing Franklin on the existing $100 bill. This approach would avoid removing a historical figure from circulation while still honoring the former president. The competing proposals highlight growing interest among some Republican lawmakers in commemorating Trump’s presidency through official government recognition, including discussions among supporters about adding his likeness to Mount Rushmore.
