President Donald Trump’s signature will soon appear on US paper currency for the first time in history. Starting this summer, new dollar bills will carry the signature of the sitting president, breaking a 165-year-old tradition.
The US Treasury Department announced the change on March 26, 2026. For over 165 years, since 1861, American banknotes have featured the signatures of the Treasury Secretary and the US Treasurer. Under the new plan, the Treasurer’s signature will be removed. Instead, the bills will show the signatures of President Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
The first redesigned $100 bills will be printed in June 2026, with other denominations following in the coming months. It may take several weeks for these new notes to reach banks and enter normal circulation. The overall design of the bills will stay mostly the same, except for this signature change.
The Treasury says the move is to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence (the Semiquincentennial) in 2026. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that there is “no more powerful way” to honour the country’s achievements under President Trump than by placing his signature on the dollar.
This is the first time any sitting US president has had his signature printed on everyday paper money. The change is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to leave a visible mark on national institutions and symbols.
Old bills already in circulation will remain valid and keep their original signatures. The new notes with Trump’s signature will gradually replace them over time.
