Trump Seeks to Profit From Airport Name Changes

President's company files trademarks for "President Donald J. Trump International Airport" and other variations

Feb. 17, 2026 at 10:47pm

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According to a report, President Donald Trump's holding company DTTM Operations LLC has filed three trademark applications related to using his name on major airports, including "President Donald J. Trump International Airport" and "Donald J. Trump International Airport". The filings were made on an "intent to use" basis, meaning Trump aims to stake a claim on the terms before they are used commercially. This would allow Trump's company to potentially profit from branded merchandise and licensing if the airports were renamed.

Why it matters

The move raises ethical concerns about a sitting president using public infrastructure for private financial gain. While presidents have had landmarks named after them in the past, a sitting president's private company has never before sought trademark rights in advance of such a naming.

The details

The trademark applications were filed on February 13 and 14, 2026. One is for "President Donald J. Trump International Airport", another is for "Donald J. Trump International Airport", and the third is for "DJT". The filings would allow Trump's company to profit from a "range of branded merchandise, including clothing, handbags, luggage, jewelry, watches, and tie clips" if the airports were renamed.

  • The trademark applications were filed on February 13 and 14, 2026.

The players

DTTM Operations LLC

President Donald Trump's holding company that manages his intellectual property.

Josh Gerben

An attorney at the firm Gerben IP who wrote about the trademark filings.

Susan Saarinen

The daughter of the engineer who designed Dulles International Airport's transport system, who suggested naming the moving walkways "DJTs" to convince Trump to keep them.

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What they’re saying

“The move raises unusual questions about the intersection of public infrastructure and private brand ownership. While presidents and public officials have had landmarks named in their honor, a sitting president's private company has never in the history of the United States sought trademark rights in advance of such naming.”

— Josh Gerben, Attorney

“It's a name that fits. Mr. Trump would like to name the airport after him, because he likes his name I guess, and he likes to name things. And if a 'DJT' happens to work for that, it works for me.”

— Susan Saarinen

What’s next

The trademark applications filed by DTTM Operations LLC will need to be approved by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office before Trump could potentially profit from any airport name changes.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ethical concerns around a sitting president using public infrastructure for private financial gain. It raises questions about the appropriate boundaries between a president's public duties and private business interests.