US Treasury working to put Trump's signature on new paper currency in first for sitting president

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Treasury Department plans to put President Donald Trump's signature on all new U.S. paper currency, the agency announced on Thursday.

The move would be a first for a sitting president, since traditionally, U.S. paper currency carries the signatures of the Treasury Secretary and the Treasurer, not the president.

The news was first reported by Vanity Fair.

It's the latest instance of Trump putting his name and likeness on American cultural institutions, following his renaming of the U.S. Institute of Peace, the Kennedy Center performing arts venue and a new class of battleships, among other tributes.

The plans come in tandem with an ongoing effort to get Trump's face on a coin.

Earlier this month, a federal arts commission approved the final design for a 24-karat gold commemorative coin bearing Trump's image to help celebrate America's 250th birthday on July 4.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's signature would also appear on the currency, according to a Treasury news release.

Bessent said in a statement that "there is no more powerful way to recognize the historic achievements of our great country" than with U.S dollar bills bearing Trump's name.

U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach said in a statement that printing Trump's signature on the American currency "is not only appropriate, but also well deserved."

The U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing is responsible for producing all paper currency while the U.S. Mint produces all the coins.