As Florida moves to rename an airport after Trump, his family’s trademark play sparks questions about tie-in merch

Donald Trump is close to getting what he’s always wanted — his name on government buildings — but he may have just jeopardized it. The Florida House of Representatives had already approved the move in an 81–30 vote. Still, as more details began to emerge, some Democrats started to hesitate.

Trump has made it abundantly clear that he wants his name etched onto public institutions. Even as artists reportedly shun the newly renamed Kennedy Center, he’s also said to be holding back funding for Penn Station until it allegedly folds and grants him naming rights. The president has been moving mountains to ensure his legacy is firmly embedded in the halls of history.

That task has proven easier in Florida, where Trump remains highly influential. The Florida Legislature is now exploring the process of renaming Palm Beach International Airport after him. CNN reports that around the same time, trademark applications were filed for “DONALD J. TRUMP INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT,” “PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT,” and “DJT.”

That’s when Democratic lawmakers began questioning whether Trump might personally benefit from the renaming — particularly by selling branded merchandise through gift shops.

Democratic Senator Shevrin Jones, who initially had no issue with the proposal, even noted that he would have supported the same move for a Democratic president. To be fair, naming airports after prominent political figures has long been a global tradition within the aviation industry.

What changed Jones’ mind, however, were the trademark filings and Trump’s recent inflammatory post about the Obamas. Still, Trump Organization director Kimberly Benza insisted there was a reasonable explanation. In a statement, Benza said, “To be clear, the President and his family will not receive any royalty, licensing fee, or financial consideration whatsoever from the proposed airport renaming.” She added that the trademarks were filed purely as a precaution, meant to prevent “bad actors from infringing upon or misusing the name.”

The move remains unusual, especially given that other major U.S. airports are already named after former presidents — including Ronald Reagan, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and, most famously, John F. Kennedy. None of those renamings required trademark protections.

Trademark attorney Josh Gerben examined the opportunity facing the Trump family and suggested there’s clear commercial potential. “There could be a whole market at the airport, or even off the airport premises,” Gerben said. “And again, Trump Org would own the trademark and be able to license that name to anybody that was making and selling that merchandise.”

Ultimately, the issue comes down to trust. What happens next depends entirely on Trump’s intentions — and how he chooses to use the trademark. Reportedly, his next target is Dulles International Airport.

The bill to rename Dulles was introduced in the House by North Carolina Rep. Addison McDowell, alongside several GOP co-sponsors. But opposition concerns have since shifted toward a more practical issue: how naming multiple major airports after Trump could create widespread confusion.

Rep. Addison McDowell said she doesn’t mind if Trump also trademarks whatever Dulles would become should the renaming go through. According to the lawmaker, Trump operates at a “different level of branding” than his predecessors in the White House.