Palm Beach County’s plan to put President Trump’s name on its airport is already hitting serious turbulence — and the legal dogfight hasn’t even left the runway yet.
A fresh lawsuit filed in Palm Beach County is trying to block officials from transforming Palm Beach International Airport into “President Donald J. Trump International Airport,” setting up another courtroom clash in Florida’s never-ending Trump wars.
The suit, filed by attorney and congressional candidate Victoria Doyle, comes only weeks after county commissioners narrowly approved a trademark licensing deal tied to the proposed rebrand. The vote squeaked through 4-3, exposing deep divisions in a county that already serves as the president’s adopted backyard thanks to Mar-a-Lago.
Doyle says county leaders are rolling over for Tallahassee instead of defending local control.
“We should get to choose the name of our airport,” Doyle said. “We don’t want President Donald J. Trump to be the name of our airport.”
At the center of the dispute is a new Florida law mandating the name change beginning July 1. County officials recently approved a licensing agreement with the Trump Organization, which attorneys argued was necessary to shield taxpayers from trademark headaches and potential legal claims tied to using Trump’s name.
But critics see the whole thing as political theater with a multimillion-dollar price tag. Doyle argues taxpayers could get stuck footing an estimated $5.5 million bill for fresh signs, branding updates and other cosmetic overhauls — all before courts even decide whether the state law itself is constitutional. “Because the renaming is estimated to cost $5.5 million,” Doyle said. “So rather than spend that money, let’s wait and see if the law’s legal.”
Fair question. In an era of soaring insurance rates, shaky infrastructure and sky-high living costs, Palm Beach residents may reasonably wonder whether swapping out airport logos should really be priority No. 1. Still, Trump allies on the commission made it clear they view the airport tribute as long overdue recognition for a sitting president whose political base dominates much of Florida. Palm Beach County Mayor Sara Baxter scolded critics during the heated commission debate. “So before you get up here and discourage the president, let’s show him the respect he is owed,” Baxter said.
The lawsuit also piggybacks off a separate legal challenge brought by local pilot George Poncy against the state of Florida. Poncy argues ordinary citizens have every right to challenge controversial laws in court rather than simply salute and comply. “So, Congress really isn’t the answer,” Poncy said. “So I thought, OK, what can a citizen do?”
Now the courts may decide whether Florida can force a county-run airport to carry Trump’s name — or whether local officials still control what’s written on the welcome sign.
In the meantime, Palm Beach County officials are keeping their mouths zipped. A county spokesperson declined to comment, citing pending litigation.
What should’ve been a routine airport rebrand has become another front in America’s endless political trench warfare.
