A major United States airport is set to be renamed after President Donald Trump despite critics’ concerns over the costs of the rebranding and the risks of reputational fallout from Trump’s controversial administration and further Epstein file revelations.
Senators and lawmakers in Florida have now approved the renaming of Palm Beach International as “President Donald J. Trump International Airport” by large majorities in two votes in the Senate and House. The proposal goes next to Governor Ron DeSantis.
Palm Beach International is in West Palm Beach, approximately 10 km from Trump’s waterfront Mar-a-Lago mansion and private resort club, from where high-profile Epstein Virgina Giuffre said she was groomed into Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking ring. The airport is already intimately associated with Trump and the resort, since Trump flies into it on Air Force One frequently, reaching Mar-a-Lago, which some have dubbed his “Winter White House,” via the recently renamed Donald J Trump Boulevard.
Florida Lawmakers Vote To Rename Palm Beach International Airport After Donald Trump🧑⚖️
— Aviation A2z (@Aviationa2z) February 22, 2026
Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) will be renamed Donald J. Trump International Airport after the Florida Legislature approved the measure.
The proposal now awaits the signature of Ron… pic.twitter.com/xrqG1sof0z
Republicans have defended baptising State infrastructure after the President to honour his record of delivering what bill sponsor Senator Debbie Mayfield has called “meaningful results for Florida and the United States.”
Democrats point out how divisive Trump is, and have questioned spending an estimated $5.5 million (€4.6 million) or more to rebrand the airport “after one of the most polarizing figures in modern history,” in the words of Senator LaVon Bracy Davis, who argued: “when we attach a name to a major airport, we’re not simply labeling a building, we are endorsing a legacy. This legacy includes calling Mexican immigrants rapists and criminals, referring to African nations and Haiti as ‘s-hole’ countries.” However, Trump’s hard line on illegal immigration and support of Israel during the war with Hamas are popular with Florida’s right-wing.
🚨 BREAKING: The Florida State House just PASSED a proposed law paving the way to rename Palm Beach International Airport "President Donald J. TRUMP International Airport," 81-30
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) February 17, 2026
It heads to Gov. Ron DeSantis' desk if the Senate now approves it
FLORIDA IS TRUMP COUNTRY! 🇺🇸☀️ pic.twitter.com/03o5UXlkKs
It’s a fondness that they are prepared to spend at least an initial $2.75 million (around €2.3 million) on, with the Senate’s initial state budget recommendation allocating that figure for branding, new signage, and website updates.
While the rebrand awaits DeSantis’ and Federal Aviation Administration approval, the Trumps have gone ahead and registered three trademark applications for “DJT,” “Donald J. Trump International Airport,” and “President Donald J. Trump International Airport.” Commentators expect the trademarks could cover airport branded apparel and accessories, though Trump’s privately-owned conglomerate, The Trump Organization, has denied the family will receive any licensing fees or royalties as a result of the airport’s rebirth.
The Florida hub has carried its Palm Beach moniker since 1948, when it was renamed (from “Morrison Field”) in a bid to boost tourism in region. It remains to be seen what the impact on Florida’s travel sector will be from the tightening association with Trump—whose policies have been blamed for a major downturn in visitor arrivals across the States, especially inbound visitors from Florida’s main source market, Canada.
