Proposal to Name Dulles Airport Terminal After Trump Sparks Backlash

Architecture firms submit plans for new terminal with prominent 'Donald J. Trump' branding, drawing criticism from industry experts.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 8:31am

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Several architecture firms have submitted proposals to the Department of Transportation for a new terminal at Washington Dulles International Airport, including a design from Bermello Ajamil & Partners and Zaha Hadid Architects that would feature prominent 'Donald J. Trump' branding. The proposal has sparked backlash from industry experts and commentators, who have criticized the idea as desperate and questioned the rationale for a costly new terminal.

Why it matters

The push to name an airport terminal after the former president is the latest example of efforts to cement Trump's legacy through prominent real estate projects, despite the divisive nature of his political tenure. The high-profile nature of the Dulles Airport proposal also raises questions about the appropriate use of public infrastructure for political branding.

The details

The proposed 'Donald J. Trump Terminal' design would feature a 'grand arch' made of a transparent facade with the Trump name written in a serif font used by the Trump Organization. The estimated cost of the project is up to $45 billion. Industry experts have criticized the proposal as desperate and questioned the need for an entirely new terminal, noting that Dulles Airport does not typically experience long lines or congestion.

  • In December 2025, the Department of Transportation put out a call for design concepts for new terminals and concourses at Washington Dulles International Airport.

The players

Bermello Ajamil & Partners

An architecture firm that submitted a proposal for the new Dulles Airport terminal, including the 'Donald J. Trump Terminal' design.

Zaha Hadid Architects

An architecture firm that collaborated with Bermello Ajamil & Partners on the proposal for the new Dulles Airport terminal, including the 'Donald J. Trump Terminal' design.

Donald Trump

The former president whose name would be prominently featured on the proposed new Dulles Airport terminal.

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What they’re saying

“'Make Airports Great Again.' That's what Zaha Hadid Architects promise (they really said it!) with their design of the 'Donald J Trump Terminal' at Washington International Airport[.] Desperate much?”

— Philip Oldfield, Director of the architecture program at the University of New South Wales, Sydney

“Lame.”

— Kepa Askenasy, Architectural designer

“What is the rationale for needing an entirely new terminal and spending money on that vs other endeavors? I've flown out of Dulles a few times and never experienced long lines at check-in or security, albeit I'm not sure if I've flown out during peak times.”

— Aden Yacobi, President of the Penn Transportation Club

What’s next

The Department of Transportation is expected to review the various proposals for the new Dulles Airport terminal and make a decision in the coming months.

The takeaway

The proposal to name a Dulles Airport terminal after the former president highlights the ongoing efforts to cement Trump's legacy through prominent real estate projects, despite the divisive nature of his political tenure. The high-profile nature of the proposal has drawn criticism from industry experts who question the need for a costly new terminal and the appropriateness of using public infrastructure for political branding.