Jack White Jokes About Trump’s Currency Plan: ‘Small Hands’ Comment
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Jack White has expressed strong criticism of the U.S. Treasury Department’s announcement to feature President Donald Trump’s signature on new U.S. paper currency. He describes the decision as a “symbol of vanity” during a time of financial turmoil for many Americans.
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In a lengthy Instagram post on March 27, White ridiculed the announcement, saying, “Oh how humble! But why stop there donnie? Why don’t you use your small hands to sign into law that your oh so stern orange face appears on the front of the hundred dollar bill as well?”
This change marks a historic first: traditionally, U.S. currency features only the signatures of the Treasury Secretary and Treasurer. White emphasizes that Trump’s addition underscores broader economic pressures faced by everyday Americans, particularly rising gas prices linked to Trump’s military actions in Iran beginning on February 28.
“TSA agents are selling plasma to pay rent while he takes the day off, cheats at golf, and bombs other countries for fun,” White noted. “Gas prices are surging as a worldwide crisis that HE caused rages in the Middle East; it’s the perfect time to joke on fox ‘news’, visit Graceland, and sign into law to have your bloated, cocky signature on all U.S. currency!”
He also criticized Congressional inaction, referring to Trump as “a manipulative, loophole finding, egomaniacal, conman” who has been granted unchecked authority. White questioned the effectiveness of regulatory oversight on Trump’s commercial ventures, which include branded Bibles, sneakers, and commemorative coins. “I’m sure Congress is regulating all that though and not just letting him break the law and profit from his office,” he sarcastically remarked. “We’re in good hands.”
White concluded his post by humorously suggesting that Americans might consider crossing out Trump’s signature on the new banknotes, using the tag #redactedbanknotes. “Wouldn’t it be funny if someone started a campaign to black magic marker line out his name every time you receive a new banknote?” he wrote. “I think that’s against the law to deface U.S. currency, so I would never suggest that becoming a nationwide campaign…but is everyone allowed to break the law when they feel like it or just donnie?”
This marks another instance of White vocally opposing the Trump administration, as he previously denounced the president’s declaration of war against Iran, quipping: “Behold the leader of the ‘Board of Peace.’”
White is recognized as one of rock music’s most acclaimed artists. Co-founding the White Stripes, he played a pivotal role in the garage rock revival of the early 2000s. The duo’s iconic song “Seven Nation Army” topped the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and won the Grammy for Best Rock Song in 2004. Albums such as Elephant (2003) and Icky Thump (2007) reached the top 10 of the Billboard 200, while his debut solo album Blunderbuss (2012) debuted at No. 1. White was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the White Stripes in 2025.
