(The Center Square) – President Donald J. Trump International Airport is the new name for the former Palm Beach International Airport following Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature on a legislative proposal.
Mar-a-Lago is east of the airport. Passage was 25-11 in the Senate and 81-30 in the House of Representatives.
The name change is expected to cost up to $5.5 million, according to a local funding initiative request filed to the Senate. However, there are no lines in the bill allocating funds to the project. A fiscal analysis indicated the negative fiscal impact it would have on local government expenditures.
The $5.5 million for renaming the airport will go toward “updating, fabricating, and installing all signage on roadways, terminals, parking areas, airfield locations, equipment, and vehicles; updating all branding elements such as logos, marks, and design standards; and revising websites, mobile applications, social media, consumables, advertising, promotional items, uniforms, and related materials.”
The bill sparked debate in both chambers.
“We’re passing a bill using millions of dollars of Florida taxpayer money that will basically help subsidize President Trump’s ability to continue to enrich himself on merchandise sales from the use of the name President Donald J. Trump Airport,” Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, said.
Sen. Debbie Mayfield, R-Indialantic, sponsored the bill. She said Trump would not receive financial consideration for the use of his name, but acknowledged he could potentially profit off of merchandising, which is something the president is potentially already planning on.
In February, Trump’s holding company filed a trademark application for commercial use of “President Donald J. Trump International Airport.” The application covers an array of goods and services including restaurants, travel bags, T-shirts, hats, accessories and more. The application has yet to be approved.
Some lawmakers proposed amendments including postponing the name change until Trump completes his second term, arguing he should complete his presidential service before naming major infrastructure after him, but it was voted down.
Eric Trump took to social media Monday to celebrate the bill’s signage, thanking several people including DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier.
The name change is subject to approval by the Federal Aviation Administration and an agreement between Palm Beach County and a trademark holder authorizing commercial use of the name, according to the bill.
