U.S. Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) responded to the news of the U.S. Treasury minting $1 gold coins featuring the face of President Donald Trump, scheduled for release in the fall.
Massie wrote on social media: “Congratulations, we’ve entered the end stages. Eliminate the penny, plug the nickel, and make some commemorative gold coins nobody can afford. I feel sorry for the folks who will be sold worthless knockoffs of this by the usual grifters.”
Congratulations, we’ve entered the end stages. Eliminate the penny, plug the nickel, and make some commemorative gold coins nobody can afford.
I feel sorry for the folks who will be sold worthless knockoffs of this by the usual grifters.
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) July 15, 2026
Trump’s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the new coin is a way to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary, and “to honor the enduring legacy of liberty and a lasting symbol of patriotism.”
Massie, who lost his GOP primary in June to Trump-endorsed Ed Gallrein, is receiving negative feedback on X for his comment. When one respondent wrote to the Congressman, “Maybe you should have played for the team once in a while,” Massie replied, “When my team runs for the wrong endzone, I don’t block for them.”
Several others replied, “what do you mean can’t afford, it’s a dollar.”
[NOTE: The U.S. Mint currently sells the President Donald J. Trump three-inch bronze medal on its website for $160. Regarding the new $1 coin, USA Today reported “the coin does not contain precious metals, but has a ‘gold-like finish’.” The New York Times reported: “It is not clear when the new commemorative coins will be available or how much they will cost. The U.S. Mint currently sells semiquincentennial proof sets for $107.”]
Trump critics, including Miles Taylor, former Homeland Security Chief of Staff during the first Trump administration, also objected to the coin and replied to Bessent: “Scott, what does it feel like to [expletive] on your whole career in one post? Exhilarating or humiliating?”
Other objectors replied with images of other currency and wrote: “Only dictators put their own face on currency.”
Scott, what does it feel like to piss on your whole career in one post? Exhilarating or humiliating?
— Miles Taylor (@MilesTaylorUSA) July 15, 2026