Trump Organization Trademark Raises Concerns Over Potential Airport Profit

Florida lawmakers question if Trump family could benefit from renaming Palm Beach airport

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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As the Florida Legislature moves to rename the Palm Beach International Airport after former President Donald Trump, a recent trademark filing by the Trump Organization has raised suspicions that the family could profit from the name change. Some Democratic lawmakers, including state Rep. Shevrin Jones, have voiced concerns about the trademark applications and the potential for the Trump family to collect royalties or licensing fees related to the airport's new name.

Why it matters

The renaming of the airport after a former president is an unusual move, and the involvement of the Trump Organization's trademark filings has sparked concerns about potential conflicts of interest and whether public resources are being used for private gain. This case highlights the ongoing debates around how public spaces and institutions should be named, and whether former leaders and their families should be able to profit from such namings.

The details

The Florida House bill to rename the Palm Beach International Airport the 'President Donald J. Trump International Airport' passed 81-30, but some Democrats raised concerns about the Trump Organization's recent trademark filings for 'DONALD J. TRUMP INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT,' 'PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT' and 'DJT.' The broad scope of the trademark applications, which cover a wide range of goods and services, has led some to question whether the Trump family could profit from licensing and merchandising deals related to the airport's new name.

  • The Florida House bill to rename the airport passed on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
  • The Trump Organization filed the trademark applications last week, prior to the House vote.

The players

Shevrin Jones

A Democratic Florida state representative who initially supported the airport renaming but changed his mind after the trademark filings and a controversial video posted on Trump's Truth Social account.

Kimberly Benza

The Trump Organization's director of executive operations, who stated that the Trump family would not receive any royalties or licensing fees from the airport renaming.

Josh Gergen

A trademark attorney who noted that the Trump Organization's trademark applications are unusual, as former presidents' names are not typically privately licensed by their families.

Addison McDowell

A North Carolina Republican congressman who introduced legislation to rename Dulles International Airport after former President Trump.

Ron DeSantis

The Republican governor of Florida, who is expected to sign the bill renaming the Palm Beach airport if it passes the state Senate.

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What they’re saying

“No president, Democrat or Republican should be able to benefit from an airport trademark license.”

— Shevrin Jones, Florida state representative (CNN)

“To be clear, the President and his family will not receive any royalty, licensing fee, or financial consideration whatsoever from the proposed airport renaming.”

— Kimberly Benza, Trump Organization director of executive operations (CNN)

“Normally, the private individual who's being honored isn't protecting his or her name as a trademark.”

— Josh Gergen, Trademark attorney (CNN)

What’s next

The companion Florida Senate bill has passed the required committees and is set to be considered by the full chamber soon before heading to Gov. Ron DeSantis' desk for signature.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debates around how public spaces and institutions should be named, and whether former leaders and their families should be able to profit from such namings. The trademark filings by the Trump Organization have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the use of public resources for private gain.