Donald Trump has had an airport renamed after him: the airport in West Palm Beach will soon be called President Donald J. Trump International Airport. But it’s not just the name that has changed. It has been reported that a loophole at the newly renamed airport could allow the president to earn millions for himself.
The Palm Beach County Commission voted to approve a deal giving the Trump Organization control of the name “Donald J. Trump International Airport.” The vote on Tuesday was close, ending 4–3.
A new law signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis states the airport’s name will change from Palm Beach International Airport on July 1. However, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must still approve the change before it becomes official.
On May 6, Donald Trump’s son Eric Trump shared the news with his millions of followers on X, revealing the airport’s new logo.
“For the first time, I am extremely proud to share the OFFICIAL logo for the Donald J. Trump International Airport in Palm Beach, Florida. Commissioners in Palm Beach County have approved the licensing agreement with Trump’s family business,” he wrote.
“There is no person more deserving of this incredible honor than @realDonaldTrump! Congratulations Dad! Looking forward to seeing flights landing at ‘DJT’ very, very soon!”
Donald Trump could make millions by renaming Florida airport after himself
In early May, while speaking at the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, Trump shared his plans for the airport.
“We have a lot of things in store. A lot of tremendous elements are going to be added to the airport, making it bigger and better,” Trump said. “I don’t think there’ll be anything as good as your airport will be anywhere in the country.”
While the agreement allows Palm Beach County to use the airport name on signs and products, the county does not fully own the rights to the name. This means the Trump Organization can use the airport’s name for business elsewhere, and other companies can as well.
Moreover, the Trump Organization can produce and sell its own branded merchandise, including MAGA products, under what the Miami Herald describes as a loophole.
The newspaper reports that Donald Trump’s company could, in theory, “make a list of ‘approved retailers’ from which airport stores have to buy their airport-branded merchandise.”
The Miami Herald also noted that while the agreement states Trump and his affiliates can’t directly profit from purchases or sales, they still have control over who manufactures the items.
“Doesn’t stop the Trump family from profiting”
Any retail business selling products at the airport must buy them “exclusively and directly from such entities designated by Licensor” DTTM Operations, LLC. The company’s president is Donald J. Trump Jr.
Speaking to the Herald, trademark lawyer Josh Gerben explained, “Normally a license agreement says that the goods have to be of a certain quality. It doesn’t say that you have to purchase them from a retailer that we’re approving them from,” adding that the arrangement does not stop the Trump family from potentially benefiting from merchandise sold outside the airport.
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