Trump Ridiculed Over Coin Gaffe Showing U.S. Ending in 2026
Some viewed the coin named after the president as yet another grift, while others mocked its bizarre features.

Eric Faison/The Daily Beast/X
Donald Trump has put his name on steaks, buildings, casinos, and bibles. Now his image is on a $1 coin being sold to the public at an inflated price, with an inscription that appears to show the United States ending in 2026.

The new $1coin went on sale on Wednesday.
X
The U.S. Mint began selling rolls and bags of coins bearing Trump’s face on Wednesday, turning the president into something Americans can literally carry around in their wallets.
But critics immediately mocked the initiative as yet another grift, and others questioned its etchings.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced Wednesday that the U.S. Mint will produce a "gold" dollar coin bearing Trump's face.
X/@SecScottBessent
“I like that this design appears to show the birth date of liberty as 1776, and its death as 2026,” observed The Bulwark’s economics commentator Catherine Rampell, noting the coin was marked with the dates “1776—2026.”
Collectors can now buy the coins in 25-coin rolls for $61, or in 100-coin bags for $154.50.
Get the best of The Beast delivered right to your inbox
By clicking “SUBSCRIBE” you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
“Deal of the century right here folks,” noted Rampell’s Bulwark colleague Sam Stein. “You can purchase 25, $1 Trump coins for the price of… $61.”
The coin is being issued to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary, but its branding is unmistakably Trump, with his portrait alongside the words “Liberty” and “In God We Trust.”
The reverse features the presidential seal, with an eagle holding an olive branch and a bundle of arrows.
Evelyn Hockstein/REUTERS
But the new coin has also raised questions about federal restrictions that are designed to prevent living presidents from appearing on U.S. currency.
Under the law, U.S. coins and currency must bear only the portrait of a deceased individual.
However, the administration worked around this because the coin was authorized as a commemorative tribute for an anniversary.
The coin is nonetheless the latest initiative centered around a president seeking to rebrand Washington in his own image.
The DOJ hasn't exactly been shy about advancing the presidential legal agenda.
Kevin Lamarque/REUTERS
The 80-year-old’s face now appears on giant banners on government buildings such as the Justice Department and the Department of the Interior, while the Treasury Department is considering a push to put his image and signature on a $250 bill.
The proposal stems from legislation by South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson, who introduced the “Donald J. Trump $250 Bill Act” last year, complete with an AI-generated mock-up of the new note plastered with Trump’s face.
An AI-generated image of Rep Joe Wilson’s proposed $250 Trump note.
Office of Joe Wilson
But this is merely one of a growing pile of Trump-themed gestures from Republicans all seemingly competing in an increasingly crowded race to please the president.
Among the other contenders are Texas Rep. Brandon Gill, who introduced the Golden Age Act, which would replace Benjamin Franklin with Trump on the $100 bill, and Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, who introduced a bill proposing putting Trump’s face on Mount Rushmore alongside George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
There are also Trump-branded products such as a $60 bible designed to “Make America Pray Again”, as well as Trump sneakers, Trump watches and Trump cryptocurrency, all of which have boosted the fortunes of the president and his family by billions of dollars.
Nonetheless, Trump has made it clear he wants more. Last week, for instance, after praising the Artemis II crew for naming a moon crater after the late wife of Commander Reid Wiseman, who died of cancer, he told the crowd: “I wish they’d name something like that after me.”
Trump might want to rename everything—and the craven mainstream media is following suit. But because of our subscribers, the Daily Beast is proudly independent and able to stand up to the MAGA bullies. If you already subscribe, thank you for helping us tell the truth. And if you’re not yet part of our community, it’s never been easier to join us at www.thedailybeast.com/membership
Unlock a year of full access to The Looker and The Daily Beast for $35.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Looker and The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.
Sign in
Login dialog

ADVERTISEMENT
Sign in or create an account
Login dialog
Loading comments…
ADVERTISEMENT