In a move that surprised many political observers, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill officially renaming Palm Beach International Airport after former President Donald Trump.
The airport will soon be known as President Donald J. Trump International Airport, pending final approval from the Federal Aviation Administration. The new airport code is expected to be “DJT.” The change is set to take effect on July 1.
The decision comes just a year after DeSantis ran against Trump in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, where the two were major political rivals and frequently criticized each other during the campaign.
The Florida House passed the bill with a vote of 81–30, while the Senate approved it 25–11, both largely along party lines. The airport is located just four miles from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach.
According to reports, rebranding the airport — including signage, documents, uniforms, and other materials — could cost up to $5.5 million. The airport currently handles around 8.6 million passengers per year.
The Trump Organization has also reportedly filed a trademark for the airport name, covering items such as luggage, flight suits, and shoe protectors. However, the organization stated that the Trump family does not plan to collect royalties from the airport name.
The legislation also includes a provision that prevents local governments from renaming other major airports in Florida.
Public reaction has been mixed. One poll reportedly found that around 80% of respondents opposed renaming the airport.
Earlier this year, the road leading from the airport to Mar-a-Lago was also renamed President Donald J. Trump Boulevard, further cementing Trump’s name across the area.
The move has drawn attention not only because of the name change itself, but because of the political history between DeSantis and Trump — former rivals now connected through one of Florida’s busiest airports.
