Trump airport? Florida renames Palm Beach hub after US president

An airport in Florida was officially renamed after US President Donald Trump on Thursday, marking the latest move in a wider push by his allies to place his name on public landmarks, infrastructure and official government symbols.

Reacting to the development, Trump wrote on Truth Social: “This will soon be one of the Greatest and Most Spectacular Airports anywhere in the World!”

The facility, previously known as Palm Beach International Airport for nearly 50 years, is now called President Donald J. Trump International Airport after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the measure into law.

Trump’s son Eric celebrated the occasion by flying the family’s private Boeing 757, popularly known as “Trump Force One,” into the airport, located a short drive from the Trump family’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach.

“A beautiful day,” Eric Trump said during an appearance on Fox News from the newly renamed airport. He argued that no one was more closely associated with Palm Beach than Donald Trump, adding that the main road leading from the airport already bears the name “President Donald J. Trump Boulevard.”

He also noted that travellers flying into Palm Beach would now see the airport’s new DJT code on their tickets.

Public reaction to the renaming was mixed. Corporate pilot Chris Bailey welcomed the move, saying Trump had “certainly done enough to warrant a name of an airport.” Others disagreed. “Palm Beach is a better brand. People don’t really like Donald Trump,” said John Manov, a doctor travelling through the airport. “It seems in poor taste.”

Trump’s name spreads across public landmarks

The airport renaming is part of a broader effort by Trump supporters to place the president’s name and image on public institutions, buildings and government programmes, breaking with the longstanding US convention of not honouring serving presidents in such ways.

Also on Thursday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent unveiled the Donald J. Trump Bridge in Tennessee, saying motorists following Tennessee-registered vehicles would now cross the bridge on Interstate 40.

Washington has also seen several Trump-related changes, including the renaming of the United States Institute of Peace and the display of large Trump portraits on prominent government buildings. Trump’s name was briefly attached to the Kennedy Center before a judge ruled the move unlawful.

The administration has also introduced Trump-branded visa, medical and other government programmes. Trump’s image is set to appear on some US passports and already features on National Park passes. A new class of US naval ships has also been announced under the Trump name.

Later this year, Trump’s signature is expected to appear on US dollar banknotes, according to the Treasury.

Critics have compared the expanding use of Trump’s name and image across public institutions to personality cults more commonly associated with authoritarian regimes.

Eric Trump dismissed the criticism, saying that “anything that bears our name is slightly controversial,” and added that the president felt “honoured” and “humbled” by the airport being named after him.