Donald Trump decried the Treasury Department’s decision to put legendary abolitionist Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill as “pure political correctness.”
In a morning townhall on NBC accompanied by his family, Trump said President Andrew Jackson “had a great history.”
“And I think it’s very rough when you take somebody off the bill. Andrew Jackson had a history of tremendous success for the country,” he said.
“As you know, they were going to do the $10 bill and then all of a sudden the Broadway play, Hamilton — or the Broadway play, sort of saved that one. And I read it just this morning. It was going to be Hamilton.”
Pressed by host Matt Lauer about whether Tubman should be on the $20 bill, Trump called her “fantastic.”
“I would love to — I would love to leave Andrew Jackson and see if we can maybe come up with another denomination. Maybe we do the $2 bill or we do another bill. I don’t like seeing it,” Trump replied.
“Yes, I think it’s pure political correctness. Been on the bill for many, many years and, you know, really represented somebody that really was very important to this country. I would love to see another denomination, and that could take place. I think it would be more appropriate.”
Trump surrogate Ben Carson echoed the $2 proposal on Fox Business Network on Wednesday. “I love what she did, but we can find another way to honor her. Maybe a $2 bill,” Carson said.
“Andrew Jackson … was a tremendous president,” he added. “I mean, Andrew Jackson was the last president who actually balanced the federal budget, where we had no national debt.”
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Ohio Gov. John Kasich have not commented on the Treasury announcement.
Hillary Clinton tweeted: “A woman, a leader, and a freedom fighter. I can’t think of a better choice for the $20 bill than Harriet Tubman.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said, “I cannot think of an American hero more deserving of this honor than Harriet Tubman.”
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