Trump names an airport after himself

Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), located near the city of West Palm Beach in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States, has been officially renamed 'President Donald J. Trump International Airport' (President Donald J.

Trump International Airport). This historic renaming became effective on July 9, 2026, at 5:01 AM Eastern Time. This move, which changes the old name that had been in place for over 50 years, also marks the first instance in American history where an airport has been named after a sitting president.

Serving as the primary airport for Palm Beach County as well as a large portion of the Miami metropolitan area, it handles over 8.7 million passengers annually. It is also the third busiest airport in the region, after Miami (MIA) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL) airports. It provides air travel facilities to residents of many suburban areas such as Boca Raton, Wellington, Boynton Beach, Jupiter, and Palm Beach Gardens.

The bill for this name change process was passed by the Florida Legislature in February 2026. It received approval with 25-11 votes in the State Senate and 81-30 votes in the House of Representatives, and in March 2026, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed it into law. Since the necessary remaining official approval had already been granted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), it paved the way for its official implementation from July 9.

With this change, the airport identification code is expected to change from PBI to DJT. Updates from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will occur in several phases, and the code will be fully changed by mid-August 2026. However, in the initial phase, there will be no changes to the airport's daily operations and customer services. The entire rebranding process, including naming signboards and uniforms, is estimated to cost approximately 5.5 million US dollars, with a portion of it being covered by state government funds. New signboards featuring designs from the presidential seal are currently being installed on highways and terminal premises.

Due to its close proximity to Mr. Donald Trump's famous 'Mar-a-Lago' residence, he and his family members frequently use this airport. Marking the first flight under this new name, Mr. Trump's son, Eric Trump, landing there in the "Trump Force One" aircraft was a notable event. On the same day this name change occurred, a bridge in Tennessee was also named after Mr. Trump, which is a unique historical event after more than 50 years.

Mixed reactions have emerged in society regarding this decision. His supporters are pleased, considering it a fitting tribute to him, while critics say it is a political ploy or an imposition. Dissatisfaction from some travelers, as well as lawsuits regarding this matter, have been reported, and various satirical creations (Memes) and congratulations are circulating on social media networks. Various opinions are also being expressed online regarding the quality of the new presidential-style logo with a star-studded eagle emblem. The airport premises are planned to be renovated in a very "magnificent" manner in the future, and it is reported that the Trump Organization is also working to acquire trademark rights here. This clearly demonstrates Trump's strong influence in Florida politics and branding.