A Florida state representative has introduced a bill that would rename Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) as Donald J. Trump International Airport, setting off a new round of discussion about how and when major airports are named in the United States.
The proposal was filed by Republican State Representative Megan Weinberger, who represents Florida’s District 94. Her district covers most of the western two-thirds of Palm Beach County, excluding the densely populated coastal corridor. Weinberger announced the legislation on 3 November 2025 on X, writing, “America’s greatest President deserves an airport that bears his name. That’s why I have filed legislation to rename Palm Beach International Airport as Donald J. Trump International Airport. A tribute to his extraordinary leadership and hometown roots.”
Although Donald Trump’s hometown is Queens, New York, he has been a Palm Beach resident in recent years. His private club and residence, Mar-a-Lago, is located on the island of Palm Beach, directly east of the airport.
Weinberger has previously championed similar efforts. Earlier in 2025, she successfully backed a bill to rename a section of roadway in Palm Beach County after the former president.
Megan Weinberger lives in Palm Beach Gardens and has been a Florida resident since 1979. She was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in November 2024. In her public statements and legislative activity, she has been an outspoken supporter of former President Trump.
Legislative Path Ahead
The newly filed airport renaming bill must first go before a state legislative committee before it can advance to a full chamber vote. With Republicans holding firm control of both the Florida House and Senate, the proposal is widely expected to pass once it reaches the floor. If approved, PBI would become one of several major U.S. airports named after a former president.
Three days after her initial announcement, Weinberger again posted on X, stating, “Presidents leave legacies that endure for generations. Palm Beach County is fortunate to be home to the greatest leader of our era. Naming our airport Donald J. Trump International Airport is a fitting tribute, joining the ranks of other presidents honored in history while celebrating @realdonaldtrump’s incredible impact on America.”
Donald J. Trump International Airport Would Join Several Other US Airports Named After Presidents
Renaming airports after US presidents is not unusual, though the practice typically occurs after a leader has left office or died. Several of the nation’s largest airports carry presidential names today.
The country’s most well-known example is John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York. Previously known as New York International Airport, it was renamed on 24 December 1963, one month after President Kennedy’s assassination. The airport originally used the IATA code KIA, but this was changed to JFK in 1968 because of the KIA association with “killed in action” during the Vietnam War.
Another prominent example is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), which was renamed in 1998. The airport had been known simply as Washington National Airport since its opening. Reagan served as president from 1981 to 1989 and died in 2004.
In Houston, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) adopted its current name on 2 May 1997, honoring the 41st president and longtime Houston resident George H.W. Bush. Bush served from 1989 to 1993 and died in 2018 at age 94.
Other US airports named after presidents include:
- Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) in Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport (SPI) in Springfield, Illinois
- Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT) in Little Rock, Arkansas
- Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) in Wichita, Kansas
- Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport (DIK) in Dickinson, North Dakota
Several general aviation airports also carry presidential names, such as John F. Kennedy Memorial Airport (ASX) in Wisconsin, Jimmy Carter Regional Airport (ACJ) in Georgia, Harry S Truman Regional Airport (2M1) in Missouri, and Roosevelt Memorial Airport (5A9) near Warm Springs, Georgia.
Other Trump-Related Airport Proposals
Weinberger’s proposal is the latest in a series of similar attempts made in 2025. In January, Republican Congressman Addison McDowell of North Carolina introduced a bill to rename Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Virginia as Donald J. Trump International Airport. With the counties surrounding IAD under Democratic control, that proposal was widely expected to fail. The status of that bill remains unclear.
Lawmakers in Tennessee also introduced a measure to rename Nashville International Airport (BNA) after Trump earlier in the year.
What Comes Next for PBI and Donald J. Trump International Airport
Palm Beach International Airport serves as the primary commercial airport for Palm Beach County, handling more than 6 million passengers annually. If the Florida Legislature approves the bill, PBI would undergo the most significant identity change in its history.
For now, the proposal awaits its committee review, the first of several procedural steps before lawmakers decide whether PBI will join the list of airports bearing the names of American presidents.
No word yet on whether the IATA code will change to DJT.
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