The Sky’s the Limit: Florida Lawmakers Vote to Rename Palm Beach Airport After Donald Trump
Florida lawmakers have approved renaming Palm Beach International Airport after Donald Trump. Located just miles from Mar-a-Lago, the proposed "Donald J. Trump International Airport" would join the ranks of JFK and Reagan National, despite sharp pushback from Democratic critics.
President Donald Trump is set to join an elite flight path of American leaders as Florida legislators move forward with a plan to rename Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) in his honor.
The proposal passed the Florida House of Representatives on Tuesday in an 81-30 vote, followed by approval in the State Senate on Thursday with a 25-11 majority.
A Home-Base Honor
The decision to target Palm Beach International stems from the President's deep ties to the area. His Mar-a-Lago estate, which has served as his primary residence since he officially moved from New York to Florida in 2019, sits just a few miles from the terminal.
State Representative Meg Weinberger, a key sponsor of the bill, emphasized that the move aligns Florida with a long-standing national tradition. Trump would join 12 other former presidents, including John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush, whose names grace major American aviation hubs. Weinberger referred to Trump as "Florida’s first president," noting that the designation is a fitting tribute to a local resident who reached the nation’s highest office.
Costs and Licensing: "The Donald J. Trump International Airport"
While rebranding a major airport typically involves significant costs, the Trump Organization has clarified that it will not seek financial gain from the move.
No Royalties: A spokesperson for the Trump Organization stated the family will not receive licensing fees or royalties.Free Branding: The organization has offered to grant the county the rights to use the Trump name "free of charge" for promotional and signage purposes.White House Reaction: White House Communications Director Steven Cheung praised the news on X (formerly Twitter), sharing a screenshot of the report with the caption: "It has a great ring to it... Donald J. Trump International Airport."
Political Turbulence
The bill faced unanimous opposition from Democratic lawmakers. U.S. Representative Lois Frankel, whose district includes Palm Beach, criticized the timing and the lack of public discourse.
"This is a wrong and unfair step," Frankel stated. "Decisions regarding the naming of major infrastructure should only be made after an individual's term has ended, and only after giving residents a real opportunity to voice their opinions."
The bill now moves to the desk of Governor Ron DeSantis for his signature and will require final approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). If signed, the name change is scheduled to take effect on July 1.