Trump’s new coin, briefly explained

This story appeared in The Logoff, a daily newsletter that helps you stay informed about the Trump administration without letting political news take over your life. Subscribe here.

Welcome to The Logoff: Donald Trump may be getting his wish: a super-sized gold coin with his face on it.

What’s happening? On Thursday, the US Commission of Fine Arts signed off on a proposed design for a new 24-karat gold commemorative coin to mark America’s 250th anniversary this summer. On the coin: Trump, scowling, as he leans on his desk. 

The coin’s size is still to be determined, but characteristically, Trump may be going for the biggest possible option — a coin three inches in diameter (just over three times the size of a quarter). 

Can he do that? Probably. As the AP points out, there’s a law that says living presidents cannot appear on currency. There’s also another committee specifically for coins that should get a say; it has refused to consider a Trump coin.

But the US Mint is part of the Treasury Department, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent can likely authorize the new coin regardless.

The Commission of Fine Arts, which approved the design, is also stacked in Trump’s favor (one recently appointed member, Chamberlain Harris, is a Trump White House aide). Last month, the commission also okayed Trump’s proposed ballroom design to replace the East Wing.

What’s the context? This is the unsurprising convergence of two of Trump’s very favorite things: gold and himself. 

The Oval Office is overflowing with gold knick-knacks, picture frames, appliques, and trophies, which have multiplied since Trump returned to office last year. Trump has also (unlawfully) stamped his name on the Kennedy Center, as well as the US Institute of Peace and a class of new battleships.

What’s the big picture? As my former colleague Abdallah Fayyad wrote last year, Trump’s (re)branding obsession is bigger than any one building or coin. Instead, it’s an attempt to overwrite traditional American aesthetics with his own and cement himself as an — perhaps the — enduring symbol of the US.

And with that, it’s time to log off…

Hi readers, happy spring equinox! (It was this morning, a little bit before 11 am Eastern.) 

I enjoyed this story from the New York Times (it’s a gift link) about how New Yorkers spent the week preparing for the Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of Ramadan, which is today. For those celebrating, Eid Mubarak! Have a great weekend, and we’ll see you back here on Monday.