Donald Trump’s new commemorative gold coin, briefly defined

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Welcome to The Logoff: Donald Trump could also be getting his want: a super-sized gold coin along with his face on it.

What’s taking place? On Thursday, the US Fee of Positive Arts signed off on a proposed design for a brand new pure gold commemorative coin to mark America’s 250th anniversary this summer time. On the coin: Trump, scowling, as he leans on his desk.

The coin’s measurement remains to be to be decided, however characteristically, Trump could also be going for the most important doable choice — a coin three inches in diameter (simply over thrice the scale of 1 / 4).

Can he do this? In all probability. As the AP points out , there’s a regulation that claims dwelling presidents can't seem on forex. There’s additionally one other committee particularly for cash that ought to get a say; it has refused to contemplate a Trump coin.

However the US Mint is a part of the Treasury Division, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent can probably authorize the brand new coin regardless.

The Fee of Positive Arts, which accredited the design, can also be stacked in Trump’s favor (one just lately appointed member, Chamberlain Harris, is a Trump White Home aide). Final month, the fee additionally okayed Trump’s proposed ballroom design to interchange the East Wing.

What’s the context? That is the unsurprising convergence of two of Trump’s very favourite issues: gold and himself.

What’s the massive image? As my former colleague Abdallah Fayyad wrote last year , Trump’s (re)branding obsession is larger than anyone constructing or coin. As an alternative, it’s an try and overwrite conventional American aesthetics along with his personal and cement himself as an — maybe the — enduring image of the US.

And with that, it’s time to sign off…

Hello readers, blissful spring equinox! (It was this morning, somewhat bit earlier than 11 am Japanese.)

I loved this story from the New York Times (it’s a present hyperlink) about how New Yorkers spent the week getting ready for the Eid al-Fitr vacation marking the tip of Ramadan, which is as we speak. For these celebrating, Eid Mubarak! Have an amazing weekend, and we’ll see you again right here on Monday.