President Donald J. Trump International Airport: Florida airport officially renamed after Donald Trump; US president calls it ‘a very important day’
A South Florida airport was officially renamed President Donald J. Trump International Airport on Thursday, replacing the long-standing Palm Beach International Airport name as part of a state-approved initiative to honor the U.S. president.The change took effect after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation authorizing the name change earlier this year. Airport officials said the transition will take several weeks, with the old and new brands coexisting in the terminal for the time being.“Because the airport-wide transformation won’t happen overnight, as you walk through the terminal over the next few weeks, you’ll notice our classic look coexisting with new branding elements,” the airport said in a Facebook post.
Trump Unit One Marks the airport’s first arrival under its new name
The first plane to land after the name change was Trump Power One, a Boeing 757 owned by the Trump Organization. The plane arrived just after 5 a.m. carrying Eric Trump, son of President Donald Trump.The Trump family frequently uses the airport when traveling to Mar-a-Lago, the president’s Palm Beach residence. Earlier this year, the road connecting the airport to the estate was also renamed President Donald J. Trump Parkway.In celebrating the occasion, Eric Trump wrote, “No one has done more for Florida and our country, and no one is more deserving of this incredible honor.”He added that he would be proud to see the airport’s new code “DJT” on his boarding pass.While the airport’s official name changed Thursday, its three-letter airport code will remain PBI until Aug. 18, when it will officially change to DJT, the Associated Press reported.
Trump praises truth social network for rebranding
President Trump also welcomed the move in a post on Truth Social, calling it a “very important day” for Palm Beach.“This area is hot, the location is great, and the renovations will be spectacular,” Trump wrote, adding that it would be “one of the greatest and most spectacular airports in the world!”The name change is expected to cost up to $5.5 million and include new signage, branding and other infrastructure updates.Airport officials have begun removing signs at Palm Beach International Airport while installing new branding throughout the facility.
Travelers divided over decision
The name change prompted mixed reactions from passengers.Keegan Collett, a traveler to Cincinnati, told The Associated Press he was surprised by the change.“At the end of the day, it’s just the name of an airport. There’s something bigger. I feel like it’s just a distraction.”Meanwhile, company pilot Chris Bailey welcomed the move, saying Trump “has certainly done enough to name the airport,” according to AFP.However, Dr. John Manoff criticized the decision. “Palm Beach is a better brand. People don’t like Donald Trump that much. It just seems in bad taste.”
part of broader commemoration of Trump
The airport renaming comes amid a broader effort by Trump supporters to put the president’s name on public infrastructure.On the same day, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant joined Tennessee Republican lawmakers to unveil the Donald J. Trump Bridge on Interstate 40.A number of government projects and landmarks have also recently adopted Trump’s name or brand.Critics argue that the growing number of Trump-branded public institutions resembles the cult of personality often associated with authoritarian governments, while supporters say the honors reflect his legacy.Eric Trump dismissed criticism of airport renaming, telling Fox News, “Anything named after us is a little bit controversial.”He added that his father was “honored” and “humbled” by the recognition.
