Florida Lawmaker Proposes Renaming Palm Beach Airport After Donald Trump
A Florida state representative, Meg Weinberger, has introduced a bill to rename the Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) as ‘Donald J. Trump International Airport.’ The proposal highlights the airport’s proximity to Mar-a-Lago and its frequent use by Air Force One, noting it has the shortest TSA wait times and a record number of passengers. The bill is part of a broader trend of naming airports after presidents, with other examples like Reagan Washington National Airport. The legislation has not advanced beyond referral, and local officials must approve the change.
Weinberger, a Republican, stated that President Trump is ‘the most consequential president of our lifetime’ and that honoring him by naming the airport after him is ‘only fitting.’ The bill comes as part of a broader trend of honoring former presidents with renaming initiatives, including a previously introduced bill to rename Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport after Trump, which was also stalled at the legislative stage.
The Palm Beach International Airport, which serves the Palm Beach County area, saw a record-breaking year between May 2023 and May 2024, handling over eight million passengers. According to PBI’s latest data, the airport also maintained the shortest TSA wait times in the U.S., a feat that further supports the argument for its renaming. The airport’s strategic location near Mar-a-Lago, where Trump has resided since the 1980s, has made it a frequent stop for presidential and state visits, including Air Force One.
While the renaming proposal is non-binding and has not moved beyond the initial referral stage, it reflects the political alignment of the legislator who introduced it. Weinberger’s office has confirmed that the legislation is part of broader efforts to memorialize Trump’s legacy in Florida. Meanwhile, the White House has not yet responded to requests for comment on the proposal, despite its potential symbolic significance, especially in light of the ongoing political climate in the state and the nation.