Republican Rep Looks to Immortalize Trump on $100 Bill, But Will It Happen?

Rep. Brandon Gill’s proposal to put President Trump on the $100 bill sparks debate over legacy and monetary representation.

Key Takeaways

Republican Rep. Brandon Gill introduced the GOLDEN AGE ACT to feature Donald Trump on the $100 bill.
The legislation challenges the current law prohibiting living individuals on currency.
If successful, Trump would replace Benjamin Franklin on the $100 bill.
The design release is aimed at December 31, 2026, with introduction in 2029.
The proposal incites diverse opinions regarding Trump’s legacy and economic priorities.

Proposal’s Background and Intent

Republican Representative Brandon Gill introduced a contentious bill named the GOLDEN AGE ACT aimed at placing President Donald Trump on the $100 bill. Gill asserts that Trump’s presidency marked a significant period meriting national recognition similar to historical icons such as Washington and Lincoln. Current legislation mandates no depiction of living individuals on U.S. currency, a stipulation Gill’s proposal seeks to challenge through legislative change. The bill sets a timeline to implement this change, targeting full circulation by 2029.

If enacted, Benjamin Franklin will be replaced by Trump on the currency. Gill, a staunch Trump supporter, defends the proposal as a fitting tribute to Trump’s achievements and ambitions, including his announced intent to seek a second presidential term. The proposed redesign of the $100 bill would also be prefaced by a preliminary design release set for December 31, 2026.

Public and Political Reactions

Mixed reactions greet the proposal, reflecting a rift between those who idolize Trump’s presidency and others who see the move as unnecessarily costly and diversionary. While some supporters advocate the symbolic significance of putting Trump on U.S. currency, others argue that the government should refocus efforts on pressing economic issues, such as food and gas prices. A parallel suggestion from Rep. Joe Wilson even adds the possibility of a new $250 note featuring Trump.

“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.

Such proposals incite skepticism regarding bipartisan support, reflecting current contentious political dynamics. Critics emphasize the importance of prioritizing the nation’s current economic challenges over symbolic gestures related to individual political legacies.

Legacy, Symbolism, and Precedence

The change echoes a broader conversation about Trump’s place in American history and his supporters’ calls for lasting recognition. Benjamin Franklin, the current figure on the $100 bill, was notable as a founding father but never served as president. The act of replacing historical figures on currency is rare; the last notable change in U.S. banknote design was in 1929, replacing Grover Cleveland with Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill.

In a major insult to Ben Franklin, Republican Congressman @RepBrandonGill has introduced a bill that would put a picture of President Donald Trump on every $100 bill starting in 2029. pic.twitter.com/DKFp08IQ69

— Tyler Englander (@TylerEnglander) March 3, 2025

As discourse develops, the bill’s progress will likely mirror broader discussions about how America chooses to commemorate figures from its political past and present. Its outcome may set a precedent not merely for Trump’s elaborated legacy but also for how contemporary society honors individuals’ contributions to the nation.