Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis officially signed legislation on Monday, March 30, 2026, that will change the name of Palm Beach International Airport to "President Donald J. Trump International Airport."
The name change is the result of a lengthy legislative process in Florida, with both the state House of Representatives and Senate approving the bill.
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The legislation (HB 919) was signed by DeSantis as a tribute to Donald Trump, although the move has not been without criticism and debate.
If approved at the federal level, the airport name change is expected to take effect on July 1.
However, the process still requires approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Legislative Process and Name Change Requirements
The bill regarding the airport name change successfully passed the Florida House of Representatives with a vote of 81-30.
The bill subsequently passed the Senate with a 25-11 vote.
However, the name change is not immediate.
It is subject to approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which plays a crucial role in aviation regulation in the United States.
The FAA will need to complete several administrative tasks, including updating navigational charts and relevant databases.
In addition to federal approval, the name change also requires an agreement between Palm Beach County and Donald Trump.
Cost and Trademark
The rebranding process for Palm Beach International Airport is estimated to be significant, reaching up to $5.5 million.
These funds will be allocated for new signage, rebranding efforts, and other infrastructure updates necessary to reflect the airport's new name.
DTTM Operations LLC, an entity managed by The Trump Organization, took the proactive step of filing a trademark application in February 2026.
This application covers various variations of the airport name, such as “President Donald J. Trump International Airport,” “Donald J. Trump International Airport,” and “DJT.”
This trademark application was filed on an “intent to use” basis to secure rights prior to potential commercial use.
The Trump Organization itself has stated that the Donald Trump family will not receive royalties, licensing fees, or any other financial consideration from the proposed airport name change.
Reasons and Critics
Proponents of the name change argue that Donald Trump deserves this honor for his contributions.
Senator Debbie Mayfield, R-Melbourne, the sponsor of the Senate bill, highlighted Trump’s actions in cracking down on illegal immigration by deporting more than 400,000 migrants and forcing Canada and Mexico to curb the trafficking of fentanyl into the U.S.
Rep. Meg Weinberger, R-Palm Beach Gardens, stated that the name change honors Trump's "leadership and legacy," noting that Palm Beach is "the President's home" and the airport is "right across the street from where he lives."
However, the move also drew sharp criticism.
House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, called the move an abuse of priority by state lawmakers.
Driskell added that "the people of Florida didn't ask for this" and that "Tallahassee Republicans care more about political action than your wallets," highlighting public concerns.