Florida lawmakers have approved a bill to rename Palm Beach International Airport after President Donald Trump, a move that could cost taxpayers up to $5.5 million.
The Florida State Senate voted 25–11 on Thursday to pass the measure, days after the House approved it 81–30.
The bill now heads to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who is expected to sign it into law. Final approval will also require clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration.
The proposal would permanently rename the airport in honor of Trump, who resides in Palm Beach and frequently travels through the facility to and from his Mar-a-Lago estate.
State Sen. Debbie Mayfield submitted a funding request for $5.5 million to cover the costs associated with the name change, including new signage, branding materials and website updates.
However, the Senate’s initial budget has allocated only $2.75 million for the rebranding effort, and the House has not yet finalized its funding position.
Palm Beach County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo said the Trump Organization will not charge a licensing fee for use of the president’s name.
“They will not charge us a penny,” Abruzzo said, adding that he expects a smooth transition.
The Trump Organization has filed trademark applications for “President Donald J Trump International Airport” and “Donald J Trump International Airport.”
A company spokeswoman said the filings were intended to prevent misuse of the name and that neither Trump nor his family would receive royalties or financial compensation tied to the renaming, per the Daily Mail.
The move is unusual because Trump is a sitting president. While several U.S. airports have been named after former presidents, trademark filings by a private company linked to a current president are unprecedented, according to trademark experts.
Supporters argue the renaming is appropriate given Trump’s deep ties to Palm Beach and his political influence in Florida. Republican lawmakers noted that Trump is the first president to reside in Florida and has hosted foreign dignitaries at Mar-a-Lago. They also cited his immigration policies and support for Israel as reasons to honor him.
“Fifty years from now, we’re going to look back and recognize what this president did to save America,” said state Sen. Danny Burgess (R) during the debate.
Democrats strongly opposed the bill, arguing that it prioritizes political symbolism over fiscal responsibility. Florida Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman criticized the measure, saying it exists “to satisfy one large ego” and warned that “satisfying that ego isn’t free.”
Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL), who represents West Palm Beach, also opposed the change, arguing that local residents were not given adequate input and that such decisions should wait until after a president leaves office.
The debate reflects broader partisan divisions in Florida as the state continues to serve as a political stronghold for Trump.
If approved by the FAA and signed into law, Palm Beach International Airport would become one of the few major transportation hubs named after a sitting president — and one of the most expensive rebranding efforts in recent state history.
