- Florida has signed a law renaming Palm Beach International Airport after Donald Trump.
- The new name is President Donald J. Trump International Airport.
- The law was approved by Gov. Ron DeSantis on March 30, 2026
- The change is tied to a July 1, 2026, effective date.
West Palm Beach, FL, USA (WNEWS) – Florida has decided to rename Palm Beach International Airport in honour of President Donald Trump. Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 919 into law on March 30. The airport will officially become President Donald J. Trump International Airport, and the change will take effect on July 1.
Renaming Palm Beach International Airport is one of the most visible symbolic tributes to Trump in Florida. The airport serves Palm Beach County and is close to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, where he often visits. Supporters say the new name highlights Trump’s political ties to Florida and his status as a well-known local resident.
This legislation was included in a larger Florida bill about commercial service airports. Records show the bill passed the Florida Senate by a 25-11 vote on February 19, was signed by the governor on March 30, and received a chapter number on March 31.
What the law does
With the new law, the airport now has its new legal name under Florida law. ABC News and the Associated Press reported that the bill specifically changes the name from Palm Beach International Airport to President Donald J. Trump International Airport.
There has been some confusion over the federal role. There has been confusion about the federal government’s role in the renaming. Some reports first said the change was “pending FAA approval,” but the Federal Aviation Administration told CBS News that naming airports is a local decision and the FAA does not approve name changes. The agency said it handles only administrative updates, such as updating charts and databases. move ahead, while federal systems are updated afterward.
Political praise and criticism
Supporters of the change say it honours Trump’s connection to Florida. Several reports say Republican state Rep. Meg Weinberger led the effort, and DeSantis signed the bill soon after receiving it. Eric Trump also celebrated the decision and thanked state leaders for their support.
Critics argue that the move is political and unnecessary. Opponents in Florida’s legislature questioned the symbolism and the cost. Reports say Democrats called it a vanity project, especially when other state issues need attention.
One key point of debate has been the cost of making the change. Reports say the bill sets aside $2.75 million for the renaming process, less than the earlier estimates discussed during debate.t
Now that the law is signed, the new name will officially take effect on July 1, 2026. Federal updates will still be needed for aviation charts, databases, and signs.
There have also been talks about changing the airport’s code from PBI to DJT, but that is a separate issue and has not been decided. Reuters reported that Rep. Brian Mast suggested the code change, but other reports say this would require federal and international approval beyond the state’s renaming law.
The decision adds Palm Beach’s airport to a list of U.S. airports named for presidents, while also underscoring how Trump’s political influence continues to shape public institutions and symbolic naming fights during his presidency.
