US lawmaker from Trump's party proposes $250 bill honoring president

ISTANBUL

A member of the US Congress from Donald Trump’s party is proposing a $250 bill featuring a picture of the president.

"Grateful to announce that I am drafting legislation to direct the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to design a $250 bill featuring Donald J. Trump," Joe Wilson, a South Carolina lawmaker, said on X.

Decrying what he called “Bidenflation,” linking it to President Joe Biden, who served in between Trump’s first and second terms, Wilson said: “Bidenflation destroyed the economy by forcing American families to carry more cash.”

"Most valuable bill for most valuable President," he added. Since 1969, the largest US bank note has been the $100 bill.

In fact, most economists blame the worldwide surge in inflation on economic distortions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Near the end of Biden’s presidency, US inflation had been brought down near pre-pandemic levels.

In January, inflation in the US came in at 3% yearly and 0.5% monthly, both exceeding forecasts.

Economists and officials have warned that Trump’s threatened tariffs on other countries – some already in effect – might push up inflation.

Under US law, no living person can appear on US currency.