Trump Praises DeSantis for Renaming Palm Beach Airport in His Honor
President calls airport renaming a “great honor” as state allocates millions for rebranding the facility near Mar-a-Lago.
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA — President Donald Trump praised Governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday for renaming Palm Beach International Airport after him, calling it a “great honor” and describing the Florida governor as “very good.”
The comments mark a shift in Trump’s relationship with DeSantis, his former presidential rival, following the state’s decision to allocate $2.75 million for rebranding the airport that neighbors Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.
“Ron’s good. He’s a friend of mine. He just named an airport after me,” Trump told the New York Post. “They named the Palm Beach International Airport the Donald J. Trump International Airport.”
Airport Rebranding Process Moves Forward
The airport name change received final approval through a multi-step process involving state and local officials. DeSantis signed off on the renaming in late March, contingent upon Palm Beach County approving a trademark deal with Trump’s companies.
Palm Beach County commissioners approved the plan in early May, though they estimated Florida taxpayers would need to cover approximately $5 million for the complete rebranding effort. The state budget approved by lawmakers allocates $2.75 million specifically for replacing airport signage.
The Federal Aviation Administration added its support on May 19 by approving a $10 million grant for new restrooms, a sensory room, and lactation suites at the facility.
Political Context and Future Speculation
Trump’s positive remarks about DeSantis came in response to questions about whether the governor might serve as the next U.S. Attorney General. The president noted that while DeSantis is “very good,” he has “never talked about” wanting that position.
The attorney general role became available after former chief legal officer Pam Bondi, also a Floridian, left her post in April over her handling of the Epstein files and failure to prosecute Trump’s political opponents. Trump indicated satisfaction with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s performance in the interim.
The airport renaming represents a significant gesture from DeSantis toward the Trump administration, coming after their contentious primary battle during the 2024 presidential campaign. The Palm Beach International Airport serves as a major transportation hub for South Florida and handles both domestic and international flights.
According to the Florida Phoenix, the rebranding costs will be covered through the state budget process, with taxpayers funding the signage replacement and related administrative changes required for the new airport designation.
