In a move that experts are calling unprecedented, the Trump Organization has filed trademark applications to secure exclusive rights to use President Donald Trump’s name for airports and related services, even as it insists there is no plan to charge a fee for a proposed renaming in Florida, the Associated Press reported.
The filings, submitted through a family-owned entity called DTTM Operations to the US Patent and Trademark Office, seek rights over three names: “President Donald J. Trump International Airport,” “Donald J. Trump International Airport,” and “DJT.”
The applications extend beyond airport signage to cover a wide range of goods and services typically found at airports, from shuttle buses and flight suits to umbrellas and travel bags.
Florida Airport renaming sparks filing
The trademark applications come amid political debate in Florida over a state bill proposing that Palm Beach International Airport be renamed in honour of Trump. The airport is located near his Mar-a-Lago residence.
According to the Trump Organization, the filings were triggered by the Florida legislation. The company maintains that it does not intend to profit from the proposed renaming.
“To be clear, the President and his family will not receive any royalty, licensing fee, or financial consideration whatsoever from the proposed airport renaming,” the organization said in a statement.
However, it did not clarify whether it would seek royalties if other airports adopted the Trump name in the future or if it would monetize merchandise covered under the trademark filings.
‘Completely unprecedented’: Trademark expert
The filings were first flagged by trademark attorney Josh Gerben, founder of Gerben IP, who described them as unlike anything he has seen before.
“While presidents and public officials have had landmarks named in their honour, a sitting president’s private company has never in the history of the United States sought trademark rights in advance of such naming,” Gerben wrote in a blog post. He added that the move is “completely unprecedented.”
Gerben also noted that, traditionally, naming rights for airports are honorary and not designed for financial gain. Most major US airports — including Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Harry Reid International Airport — are publicly owned and operated by state or local authorities, which typically control and protect their trademarks.
Licensing clause added to Florida bill
A Florida House bill to rename Palm Beach International Airport recently advanced in the state legislature. Notably, amendments added in recent weeks would require a licensing agreement from the Trump Organization allowing Palm Beach County to use the president’s name.
Earlier drafts of the bill reportedly did not include such a requirement. According to reports, renaming the airport could cost an estimated USD 5.5 million.
The Trump Organization has defended its move, claiming the Trump name is “the most infringed trademark in the world” and that the applications are aimed at preventing misuse by “bad actors.” That claim could not be independently verified.
Breaking with tradition
If approved, Trump would join a list of former presidents with airports named in their honour, but far sooner than most. Historically, US presidents have had to wait years after leaving office, or until after their death, before such tributes were made.
For example, Bill Clinton waited 11 years after leaving office, Ronald Reagan nine years, and Gerald Ford 22 years. John F. Kennedy had New York’s major airport renamed just one month after his assassination.
Wider naming push
The airport proposal is part of a broader trend of institutions and projects being linked to Trump’s name. In recent months, venues and infrastructure proposals, including Dulles International Airport and New York’s Penn Station — have reportedly been floated as candidates for renaming.
Last month, Trump reportedly suggested to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer that federal infrastructure funding could be tied to renaming projects. Schumer rejected the idea.
While the Trump Organization says the filings are purely defensive, legal observers say unanswered questions remain, including why a private company, rather than a public airport authority, is seeking to control the trademark.
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