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The White House expressed enthusiasm on Friday following the Florida State Legislature’s decision to pass a bill that proposes renaming Palm Beach International Airport in honor of President Donald Trump.
Next, the bill is set to be reviewed by Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican, for his final endorsement.
Steven Cheung, the White House communications director, took to the social platform X to commend the legislative move, accompanied by a screenshot of Bloomberg’s coverage on the matter.
“It has a GREAT ring to it… President Donald J. Trump International Airport,” Cheung remarked.
The proposal saw success in the state House on Tuesday with an 81-30 vote, followed by a 25-11 approval in the state Senate on Thursday. Should Governor DeSantis approve the bill, it would still require the green light from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The name change would go into effect on July 1 if signed into law.
The Florida Legislature’s next plan is to see how much it will cost to rebrand the airport. This includes a potential rights agreement — a contract that would allow commercial use of the new name at no cost for promotions, advertising, merchandising and branding for the airport and its operations, services and amenities, according to the bill.
Democrats, however, pushed the state to hold off on renaming the Palm Beach, Florida, airport until after Trump leaves office. They also pushed for the airport to keep its “PBI” airline code or add former President John F. Kennedy’s name, similar to how Trump’s name was added to the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
“It’s misguided and unfair that the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature ignored the voices of Palm Beach County by pushing forward a bill to rename Palm Beach International Airport without giving county residents a real opportunity for input,” Rep. Lois Frankel (D-Fla.), whose district includes Palm Beach, wrote in a statement.
“Decisions about naming major infrastructure should wait until after an honoree’s service has concluded — and should include meaningful input from the local residents and communities most directly affected,” Frankel added.
State Sen. LaVon Bracy Davis (D) also slammed the bill’s passage, telling Politico that renaming the airport after “one of the most polarizing figures in modern history” endorses “a legacy.”
“This legacy includes calling Mexican immigrants, rapists and criminals, referring to African nations and Haiti as ‘s—hole’ countries,” she said.
Democratic state legislators also proposed waiting to see if any more revelations related to Trump and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein come to light, Politico reported. The president has denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein’s crimes.
Republicans who supported the bill have noted that renaming the airport would reflect that Trump is the first Florida resident to reside in the White House. The New York native moved to the Sunshine State in 2019, with the airport standing near his Mar-a-Lago resort.
“This is the President’s hometown, he lives five miles away from the airport,” state Rep. Meg Weinberger (R), who co-sponsored the bill, told NBC 6 South Florida.
Florida state senators recommended $2.75 million to cover the costs of these changes after previously asking for $5.5 million, according to Politico. Negotiations among lawmakers are expected to be held over the next couple of weeks.
The potential change also comes after the Trump Organization, which is run by the president’s sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, filed to trademark the use of President Trump’s name on airports.