Scott Bessent unveils Trump's new $1 coin. Here's why it is causing controversy

A new US coin featuring President Donald Trump's likeness has been unveiled, confirming weeks of speculation that the government was considering putting his face on official currency.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent revealed the $1 coin during an appearance on Fox News with host Jesse Watters, displaying the design featuring Trump’s image.

The announcement quickly triggered a debate online, with critics questioning whether a sitting president can legally appear on US currency.

Legal debate over featuring a living president

Under existing US laws, presidents must be deceased before their images can appear on standard circulating coins.

The Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 requires a president to have died at least two years before being featured on such coins. Federal law also prohibits living individuals from appearing on US paper currency.

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However, the Treasury clarified that the new Trump coin falls under a different category, a commemorative, non-circulating coin.

Bessent said special commemorative coins follow different rules from regular currency.

While paper money is restricted to portraits of deceased figures, the Treasury has greater flexibility in issuing commemorative coins marking historic events.

He cited the example of a commemorative coin featuring former President Calvin Coolidge, which was issued during his lifetime as part of celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of the United States.

Coin part of America's 250th anniversary celebrations

The Trump coin is being created as part of official events marking America's 250th anniversary.

The administration had earlier released initial design concepts. The newly shown $1 coin appears to be separate from a 24-karat commemorative gold coin that was reviewed by the US Commission of Fine Arts.

Alongside the coin, Bessent also showed proposed paper currency designs carrying the signatures of both him and President Trump.

Social media was quick to react to the release of the coin. Supporters called the coin a historic tribute during a landmark year for the United States, while critics argue that featuring a sitting president on government-issued currency breaks long-standing traditions.