Civil Action Podcast

Civil Action: Trump Illegally Puts His Face on US Currency

Attorneys Brian Kabateck and Shant Karnikian expose how Donald Trump is violating federal law by attempting to mint a $1 coin featuring his image on both sides to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary, despite a statute codified in 1866 that explicitly prohibits living persons from appearing on U.S. currency. The hosts reveal how the Treasury Department confirmed plans for a commemorative coin showing Trump’s profile with “Liberty” on one side and Trump with his fist raised and “Fight, Fight, Fight” on the reverse—imagery referencing the assassination attempt—while federal law requires any person depicted on currency to have been deceased for at least two years. They explain how this law was created after Treasury Secretary Spencer Clark put himself on a 5-cent note in the 1860s, establishing the principle that America is not a monarchy or banana republic that worships living leaders on its money, with only three exceptions granted by Congress in U.S. history, the last being 89 years ago when Calvin Coolidge appeared on a coin.