Airport Renamed After Donald Trump
Palm Beach International Airport was officially renamed President Donald J. Trump International Airport on Thursday, July 9, 2026, following legislation passed by Florida's Republican-controlled legislature and signed by Governor Ron DeSantis. The 89-year-old airport, located about five miles west of Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort, now bears the president's name and the airport code DJT.
Donald Trump's personal Boeing 757, dubbed Trump Force One, made the inaugural landing at the newly renamed airport at 5:01 a.m., according to Eric Trump, the president's third-eldest son. Eric Trump hailed the change on social media, writing: "I am deeply honored that at 5:01 a.m., Trump Force One will be the first plane to land at the newly renamed Palm Beach International Airport — now and forever President Donald J. Trump International Airport (DJT). There is no person who has done more for Florida and our country, and no one more deserving of this incredible honor."
Break with Tradition Sparks Confusion
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which is under Trump's control, broke with tradition by changing the airport's three-letter identifier code from PBI to DJT. Aviation enthusiasts noted that other renamed airports, such as Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), and Kansas City International Airport (MCI), retained their original codes. One social media user observed: "I didn't think changing identifiers was allowed. Beijing is still PEK, Reagan is still DCA. New Orleans is MSY and Kansas City is MCI. Why can't we change these (and others) to make sense?"
Another user added: "I don't care if the airport is renamed, but why does the code need to change? Louisville's airport's code didn't change when it was renamed Muhammad Ali Int.l Airport in 2019..." A commenter chimed in: "Same with 'Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport' (LIT)."
Public Backlash on Social Media
The decision was widely criticized on social media, with many questioning the president's motives and the cost of the change. One commenter on X wrote: "Is this guy self absorbed or what?" Another added: "What an expensive waste of money. Costing everyone." A third said: "FFS. This country is going to s**t." And another commenter added: "Glad to know you are concentrating on the important things."
The airport primarily serves domestic flights but also handles select international destinations. The renaming was made possible by legislation passed in February 2026 by the Florida legislature, which is controlled by the Republican Party. Governor Ron DeSantis, a former Trump rival, signed the changes into law before they formally took effect on Thursday.
Eric Trump Celebrates the Renaming
Eric Trump expressed pride in the new name and code, stating: "As a son, and someone who flies out of this airport nearly every day, I will forever be proud to see the initials 'DJT' on my boarding pass. Congratulations Dad — I'm happy to have played a big role in making this happen."
The renaming has been met with fury from Trump critics, who see it as another example of the president's self-aggrandizement. Despite the backlash, the airport now officially bears the president's name, joining a list of U.S. airports named after former presidents, such as John F. Kennedy International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
