Florida Governor Signs Bill to Rename Palm Beach Airport After Trump

The airport would be renamed President Donald J. Trump International Airport, about 5 miles from Mar-a-Lago.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:09am

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A warm, cinematic painting of an airport terminal building in soft light and deep shadows, with the name sign partially obscured, conveying a sense of political tension and nostalgia.The renaming of Palm Beach International Airport after former President Trump sparks debate over the politicization of public infrastructure.Palm Beach Today

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill passed by the state legislature that would rename Palm Beach International Airport as President Donald J. Trump International Airport. The name change, which still requires approval from the Federal Aviation Administration, is scheduled to take effect on July 1. The airport is located about 5 miles from Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort, which he frequently flies into and out of on Air Force One.

Why it matters

This is the latest effort by Trump and his allies to attach his name to public buildings and services. It comes after the Trump administration previously asked to have Dulles International Airport in Virginia and New York's Penn Station named after Trump in exchange for federal funding. The renaming is seen as a political move by DeSantis, a Trump rival during the 2024 primaries who later endorsed him.

The details

The bill signed by DeSantis stipulates that Palm Beach County must be granted the 'perpetual and unrestricted right' to use the Trump airport name and related abbreviations for airport use at no cost. An entity managed by the Trump Organization also filed a trademark application last month for the name 'President Donald J. Trump International Airport.' Democrats have criticized the renaming, saying it will cost taxpayers $5 million.

  • The name change is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.
  • The bill was signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis on March 31, 2026.

The players

Ron DeSantis

The Republican governor of Florida who signed the bill to rename Palm Beach International Airport after former President Donald Trump.

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States whose name will be added to Palm Beach International Airport if the renaming is approved by the FAA.

Fentrice Driskell

The Democratic leader in the Florida House who criticized the signing of the bill, saying it would cost taxpayers $5 million.

Eric Trump

The executive vice president of the Trump Organization who celebrated the renaming of the airport.

Brian Mast

The Republican U.S. Representative from Florida who introduced a bill to rename the Palm Beach airport after Trump.

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What they’re saying

“Proud to have played a small role in making this happen. Huge thanks to @megforflorida, @GovRonDeSantis, @JamesUtheimerFL, and the overwhelming majority in the Florida House.”

— Eric Trump, Executive Vice President, Trump Organization

“Life keeps getting more expensive for working families and seniors in Florida, which is why Democrats spent this legislative session fighting for an affordability agenda to lower costs and put more money back in your pocket. Instead of working across the aisle with us to advance those bills, Republicans leaders decided to prioritize wasting five million of your taxpayer dollars on renaming an airport after the President.”

— Fentrice Driskell, Florida House Democratic Leader

What’s next

The Federal Aviation Administration must still approve the name change for it to take effect on July 1, 2026.

The takeaway

This airport renaming is the latest effort by Trump and his allies to attach his name to public buildings and services, which has drawn criticism from Democrats who say it is a waste of taxpayer money. The move also highlights the ongoing political rivalry between Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.