Travelers arriving in South Florida were met with a very different airport this week after Palm Beach International Airport officially adopted a new name honoring President Donald Trump. The change immediately sparked heated reactions, with some passengers applauding the tribute while others questioned both the decision and its cost.
The airport, located just miles from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, officially became the President Donald J. Trump International Airport on July 10. The rebranding followed legislation signed earlier this year by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and marked the first time an active U.S. president had an airport named in his honor.
Travelers and critics are voicing strong objections to renaming Palm Beach Airport after Donald Trump
The Associated Press reported that new airport signage began replacing the former Palm Beach International Airport branding, while officials said the transition would happen gradually over the coming weeks. The outlet also reported that “Trump Force One,” carrying Eric Trump, became the first aircraft to land after the name officially took effect.
President Trump celebrated the milestone on Truth Social, calling it “a very big day” and predicting the facility would become “one of the Greatest and Most Spectacular Airports anywhere in the World,” according to the Associated Press.
Not everyone shared the president’s enthusiasm. RadarOnline reported that travelers voiced frustration almost immediately after the change. One passenger said, “I resent the name is on every institution that we have, this included,” while another argued that “the efforts and the funds are better spent helping people than glorifying the president.”
Another Florida resident was even more blunt, calling the move “disgusting, ridiculous, pompous and a lot of other bad things,” before adding, “It makes me sick every time I see the sign on 95,” the outlet reported.
The Associated Press reported that the renaming could cost as much as $5.5 million for signage, branding, and other updates. However, traveler Keegan Collett appeared less concerned by the controversy itself, telling the outlet, “At the end of the day, it’s just the name of an airport. There’s bigger things.”
Meanwhile, Eric Trump embraced the change. He wrote on X, “There is no person who has done more for Florida and our country, and no one more deserving of this incredible honor.” He also said he was “happy to have played a big role in making this happen.”
The airport will continue operating during the rebranding process and its three-letter code will officially change from PBI to DJT on Aug. 18.
TELL US – DO YOU SUPPORT RENAMING PUBLIC AIRPORTS AFTER SITTING PRESIDENTS, OR SHOULD THEY KEEP THEIR ORIGINAL NAMES?
