Trump’s Name on an Airport Comes With a Side of Profit
The same week Spirit Airlines folded, blaming high fuel costs tied to Trump’s policies in Iran, another aviation name soared into the headlines: the president’s own. The newly christened President Donald J. Trump International Airport sits less than five miles from Mar-a-Lago, joining a growing list of items—passports, street signs, national park passes, and even golden visas—that bear his name. But this rebranding comes with a twist: it’s a moneymaker for the Trump family.
On Tuesday, a divided Palm Beach County commission voted 4-3 to approve a licensing agreement with DTTM Operations LLC, Trump’s Delaware-based company. The deal gives Trump’s organization control over trademarks and commercial rights to the former Palm Beach International Airport. Analysts say the arrangement could net the president millions, despite a clause barring direct payments from airport sales.
Here’s how it works: Trump picks which vendors make and sell branded merchandise at the airport. He can also cash in on sales of those goods elsewhere, including his own online store. He holds the rights to license the airport’s name to third parties and has final say over how his image and biography are used on site. “The county’s editorial discretion is limited,” said trademark attorney Josh Gerben, who reviewed the contract. “Portrayals of Trump must align with his preferences.”
Gerben noted the deal is unusual. Typically, an honorary naming ends there. Here, Trump retains the trademarks and grants the county a non-exclusive license. “They can direct business to curry favor,” he added.
The process started in February, when Trump’s lawyers filed trademark applications. Florida lawmakers, led by Governor Ron DeSantis, fast-tracked legislation to complete the name change by July 1. Critics called it a misguided act of loyalty. “Decisions about naming major infrastructure should include local input,” said Representative Lois Frankel.
Commissioner Maria Sachs, a Democrat who cast the deciding vote, defended it as a practical step to protect the county from trademark liability and keep state funding flowing. Eric Trump celebrated on X, posting a gold-framed logo: “No one is more deserving.” The airport’s three-letter code, PBI, remains unchanged for now.