You read that right. A congressman from Texas, Brandon Gill, recently introduced a bill to replace Benjamin Franklin with Donald Trump on the $100 bill. It’s called the Golden Age Act of 2025. If passed, it would have the Treasury design new bills by 2026, aiming to roll them out by 2028. The older Franklin bills would slowly be phased out after that.
Gill says it’s a way to honor Trump for his role in reshaping U.S. policy—mentioning things like border security, trade agreements, and energy independence. His supporters see it as a fitting tribute. But of course, not everyone agrees.
There’s a catch, too: current law says only people who’ve passed away can be on U.S. currency. That rule has been around since 1866, so this proposal would require that law to be changed first.
Interestingly, this isn’t the only currency-related proposal involving Trump. Another congressman recently suggested creating a new $250 bill with Trump’s image to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The odds of it catching on, though, seem pretty slim.
All of this is part of a bigger push by some lawmakers to recognize Trump in official ways. Other bills have suggested naming airports or national landmarks after him. Critics argue that honoring a living president, especially one who remains politically active, is a break from long-standing tradition.
Some historians have pointed out that U.S. currency has always been slow to change and typically honors presidents long after their time in office. The last significant update was nearly a century ago, when Andrew Jackson replaced Grover Cleveland on the $20 bill. That change involved a former president who had already passed away.
It’s also worth noting that the proposals may not go far. All Democrats oppose it, and even within the Republican party, there isn’t full agreement on the idea. Some view it as symbolic, a way to score political points rather than a serious legislative effort.
So, what’s next? Maybe nothing. Maybe it’ll stir more debate. Either way, the whole idea definitely has people talking. Whether you find it bold, bizarre, or just interesting, it raises questions about how—and when—we honor public figures in this country.
What do you think? Would you spend a Trump $100 bill?