You’ve probably seen the images floating around social media or maybe even spotted a gold-plated version in a collector's shop. A crisp $100 bill, but instead of the familiar, balding Benjamin Franklin, there’s Donald Trump. It looks official. It feels like something that should be a major news headline. But honestly, the reality of trump on 100 bill is a messy mix of actual Congressional moves, strict federal laws, and a massive market for "funny money" that confuses just about everyone.
Let’s get the big question out of the way first. No, Donald Trump is not currently on the legal tender $100 bill. If you try to pay for groceries with a Trump $100 note you bought on eBay, you're going to have a very awkward conversation with a manager.
🔗 Read more: Did They Catch Charlie Kirk's Assassin? The Real Story Behind the September 10 Attack
The Golden Age Act: Not Just a Internet Rumor
While the bills you see right now are novelties, there is a real legislative paper trail behind this. In early 2025, Congressman Brandon Gill from Texas introduced something called the Golden Age Act. This wasn't some joke or a tweet; it was H.R. 1761, a formal bill brought to the House of Representatives.
The goal? To swap out Ben Franklin for Donald J. Trump on the $100 note.
Gill’s logic was pretty straightforward from his perspective. He argued that Trump’s impact on the American economy and his "America First" policies deserved the highest honor in daily circulation. Under this proposed law, the Treasury Secretary would have been required to release a preliminary design featuring Trump by the end of 2026.
But here is the kicker: passing a law to change currency is incredibly hard.
Most people don't realize that the "faces" on our money haven't really changed since 1929. That was the year the Treasury Department standardized everything, and we’ve been stuck with the same lineup ever since. While the $20 bill has been in the news for years regarding a potential Harriet Tubman redesign, the $100 bill has remained Franklin’s territory.
The "Dead Presidents" Rule (That Isn't Always About Presidents)
There is a massive legal wall standing in the way of putting Trump on a bill right now. It's a law from 1866. Basically, after a guy named Spencer Clark (who was a Treasury official) decided to put his own face on a five-cent note, Congress got heated. They passed a law—specifically 31 U.S.C. § 5114(b)—stating that only deceased individuals can appear on U.S. currency.
This is why you don't see Obama, Bush, or Carter on your cash.
To get trump on 100 bill while he is still active in politics or even just alive, Congress would have to specifically vote to override that 1860s-era law. Gill’s bill attempted to do exactly that, creating a specific exception for the office of the President.
Why the $100 Bill Specifically?
- Prestige: It’s the highest denomination in general circulation.
- Global Reach: The $100 bill is the most "exported" piece of U.S. paper. More than half of all C-notes circulate outside the United States.
- Symbolism: Benjamin Franklin was a printer and a diplomat, but never a President. Supporters of the change feel a President belongs on the top-tier note.
The Wild World of Novelty "Trump Bucks"
Since the official bill hasn't changed, a massive secondary market has exploded. If you search for trump on 100 bill, you'll find thousands of listings for "24K Gold Plated" notes or "Trump 2024" commemorative bills.
Kinda funny, but some of these look so real they’ve actually triggered Secret Service warnings. Most of them are printed on high-quality linen paper, featuring the signature Trump "Make America Great Again" hat or images of him at rallies. They are popular at campaign events and as gag gifts, but they have zero value at the bank.
Actually, using them as real money is a felony. 18 U.S.C. § 471 covers the "counterfeiting of obligations and securities," and even if you think it's a joke, the government usually doesn't have a great sense of humor when it comes to the integrity of the dollar.
What’s Actually Changing in 2026?
We are currently in a massive window for currency redesign, but it’s not what most people think. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) is rolling out a new series of notes to fight off high-tech counterfeiters.
👉 See also: Hurricane Helene Death Toll: What the Final Numbers Actually Tell Us
The schedule is already set:
- The $10 Bill: Expected to be the first one out in 2026.
- The $50 Bill: Slated for 2028.
- The $20 Bill: Planned for 2030 (this is the one where the Tubman/Jackson debate lives).
- The $5 Bill: 2032.
- The $100 Bill: Not scheduled for a full redesign until 2034.
So, even if the Golden Age Act gained massive momentum today, the bureaucratic machinery of the U.S. Treasury moves at the speed of a glacier. They spent over a decade just developing the "3D Security Ribbon" on the current $100 bill. They don't just "print a new face" overnight.
The $250 Bill Idea
Interestingly, there was a second branch of this movement. Congressman Joe Wilson from South Carolina suggested a totally different route: the Donald J. Trump $250 Bill Act.
Instead of kicking Ben Franklin off the $100, this would create an entirely new denomination to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026 (the Semiquincentennial). It's a clever loophole. Since it's a "new" bill, it wouldn't have to follow the same legacy rules as the existing ones. However, the Federal Reserve generally hates adding new denominations because it confuses ATM machines and cash-handling software globally.
How to Spot the Difference
If you come across a trump on 100 bill and aren't sure what you're looking at, here’s the quick checklist. Real U.S. currency has very specific features that the novelty versions usually skip to avoid being labeled as "counterfeit."
- The Watermark: Hold the bill to the light. On a real $100, you should see a faint image of Benjamin Franklin in the blank space to the right of the portrait. Novelty Trump bills usually have a blank space or a different image.
- The Security Thread: There is a vertical thread embedded in the paper that glows pink under UV light.
- Color-Shifting Ink: The number "100" in the bottom right corner of a real bill shifts from copper to green when you tilt it.
- Microprinting: Look at Franklin's jacket collar; you'll see "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" in tiny letters. Fake Trump bills often have blurry text or different slogans there.
Actionable Insights for Collectors and the Curious
If you are interested in the "Trump 100" as a piece of political history or a collectible, here is how you should actually handle it:
Treat it as a Novelty, Not an Investment
Most of these bills are produced in the millions. Unless it is a specific, limited-edition "specimen" note from a recognized private mint, it likely won't appreciate in value. It's a souvenir, sort of like a campaign button.
Verify the Legal Status of Your Bill
If you own one of the "Golden" Trump bills, check the fine print. Legally, these must have "This note is not legal tender" printed somewhere on them. If they don't, they could be considered "similitude" of currency, which is a legal grey area you don't want to be in.
Watch the 2026 Treasury Announcements
As we hit the 250th anniversary of the U.S., the Treasury will be releasing many commemorative coins and potentially special "numismatic" (collector) products. Keep an eye on the official USMint.gov site for any legitimate Trump-related medals or coins, as these are the only ones that will hold long-term historical value.
Don't Fall for Scams
There have been reports of people being sold "Trump 100s" with the promise that they will be "activated" as real currency later. This is a total scam. The U.S. government does not "activate" private novelty bills into legal tender.
The conversation around putting trump on 100 bill reflects a deeply divided country and a fascination with how we represent our history on our money. Whether the Golden Age Act ever moves past a committee or stays a piece of "what if" legislation, the $100 bill remains the most scrutinized piece of paper in the world. For now, Ben Franklin isn't going anywhere, but the debate over who deserves that prime real estate is definitely not over.