Story perspectives

Palm Beach County Votes to Rename Airport After Trump

5/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

Palm Beach County commissioners approved a trademark agreement and voted to rename the airport after President Donald Trump.
Governor Ron DeSantis signed a March bill that funds the $5.5 million renaming cost and authorizes the licensing deal.
The Federal Aviation Administration must still approve the name change.
Meeting attendees voiced both support for and opposition to the renaming.

History

Historical Context

Idlewild Airport opened in 1948 to relieve LaGuardia and was renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport on December 24 1963, a month after the president’s assassination, at Mayor Robert F. Wagner Jr.’s urging. The change followed a pattern of using airport names to cement political legacies, a practice that later resurfaced when officials sought to rename other U.S. airports, sparking legal debate. In 1967 JFK handled a record 403,981 airline operations.

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Story summary

Palm Beach County commissioners approved a trademark agreement and voted to rename the airport after President Donald Trump.
Governor Ron DeSantis signed a March bill that funds the $5.5 million renaming cost and authorizes the licensing deal.
The Federal Aviation Administration must still approve the name change.
Meeting attendees voiced both support for and opposition to the renaming.

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