Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 919 on Monday, renaming Palm Beach International Airport as Donald J. Trump International Airport. The change honors President Donald Trump's longstanding ties to Palm Beach County, where he owns the Mar-a-Lago resort.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Meg Weinberger, R-Palm Beach Gardens, in the House and Sen. Debbie Mayfield, R-Melbourne, in the Senate, passed along party lines earlier this year. The Florida House approved it 81-30, and the Senate passed it 25-11. U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., introduced companion federal legislation to support the change nationally.

The renaming takes effect July 1, pending approval from the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA must coordinate with the International Air Transport Association for updates, including a potential new airport code of DJT. Palm Beach County, which operates the airport, must also execute an agreement with the trademark holder authorizing commercial use of the name.

State lawmakers allocated $2.75 million for rebranding efforts, covering new signage, announcements, vehicles, uniforms and marketing materials. Sen. Mayfield sought up to $5.5 million total, including consultant fees.

Rep. Mast praised the move, stating, “President Donald J. Trump’s impact on our nation will transcend our time—a historic legacy of dedication and commitment toward the American people. He’s called Palm Beach County ‘home’ for many years, and this designation reflects our gratitude for his public service and leadership.”

Democrats opposed the bill, calling it a political stunt. House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, criticized Republicans for prioritizing the rename over affordability issues, saying it wastes up to $5 million in taxpayer dollars while families face rising costs. Palm Beach County officials previously raised concerns about the lack of local input in the state-driven process.

The Trump Organization filed trademarks for the name but stated it would waive any licensing fees, aiming only to prevent misuse. This follows other Florida tributes, such as signs honoring Trump along the route to Mar-a-Lago.

The airport, located near Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in West Palm Beach, handles significant traffic and symbolizes his Florida connections. DeSantis, a longtime Trump ally, signed the bill amid ongoing Republican efforts to recognize the president's legacy.