Trump Wonders Why Women’s Suffrage Centennial Coin Wasn’t ‘Done A Long Time Ago’
President Donald Trump had an opportunity for some positive press this week when he signed a law for a centennial coin commemorating women’s suffrage but he managed to spoil the moment by wondering aloud why it hadn’t taken until now to issue the coin.
Trump made the remark in the Oval Office as he signed the bill that will see 400,000 one dollar commemorative coins issued in 2020.
“I’m curious why wasn’t it done a long time ago?,” Trump said. “And also, I guess the answer to that is because now I’m president, we get things done.”
"I'm curious why wasn't it done a long time ago? And also, I guess the answer to that is because now I'm president, we get things done."
President Trump signs the Woman's Suffrage Centennial Coin Act. pic.twitter.com/jkcOCzQyNa
— The Hill (@thehill) November 26, 2019
Trump seemed unaware of what exactly the coins will commemorate. Women received the right to vote in the United States in 1920 – almost 100 years or one century ago, hence the centennial coin. Centennial coins are obviously not issued for events until their hundredth anniversary is celebrated.
Not all American women won the right to vote in 1920, while those who did were granted the franchise later than in other western democracies.
You can watch Trump ask the question above.