Palm Beach International Airport is set to be renamed after President Donald J. Trump, following a vote by county commissioners to license the name ‘President Donald J. Trump International Airport.’ This move is the latest in a series of projects bearing the Trump tag, including Trump-branded merchandise at the airport near his Mar-a-Lago resort.
Ego Over Legacy
Historian and propaganda analyst Dr. Ian Garner described Trump’s efforts as driven by ego rather than a desire for lasting legacy. ‘For Trump, I don’t think this is about legacy. I think this is about ego in the here and now. His ego needs to be fed by approval, by fame, by reception, by applause,’ Dr. Garner explained. He noted that Trump’s approach combines a 20th-century strongman ego with a 21st-century reality TV personality, focusing on immediate attention rather than historical permanence.
Dr. Garner added that Trump’s ego projects often appear low-effort and superficial. ‘It’s reasonable to expect that when Trump leaves office, his image will disappear from the cardboard. His name will disappear from the airport and from the Kennedy Arts Center and elsewhere. He’s not carving himself into Mount Rushmore. He’s not making really very permanent changes,’ he said.
Trump on Dollar Bills and Coins
Trump’s signature will appear on all new U.S. dollar bills, a first for a sitting president. His squiggle will debut on the $100 bill in June to mark America’s 250th anniversary, with others to follow. Additionally, a 24-karat gold commemorative coin bearing Trump’s image has been approved by his handpicked arts commission.
Renamed Institutions and Landmarks
The U.S. Institute of Peace was renamed after Trump when he retook office in 2024. Photos of the President now hang in federal office buildings and multiple government department headquarters. The Kennedy Centre for Performing Arts was also renamed to include Trump’s name, sparking outrage from the Kennedy family and a lawsuit from an Ohio representative.
Airports and Train Stations
Beyond Palm Beach, proposals seek to rename Washington Dulles Airport and Penn Station after Trump. The airport rebranding includes Trump-branded merchandise at the facility near his Mar-a-Lago resort.
International Waterways
On Truth Social, Trump shared an AI-generated image renaming the Strait of Hormuz as the ‘Strait of Trump.’ In March, he appeared to name the ancient waterway after himself, saying, ‘They have to open it up. They have to open up the Strait of Trump. I mean, Hormuz. Excuse me, I’m so sorry. Such a terrible mistake.’
National Park Passes
Last autumn, the National Park Service redesigned park passes to include a portrait of Trump next to George Washington. Secretary Doug Burgum announced the change, saying, ‘It is the department’s honour to showcase the America the Beautiful pass honouring America’s 250th anniversary.’ The move prompted a lawsuit from the Centre for Biological Diversity, whose executive director, Kieran Sucking, called it ‘Trump’s crassest, most ego-driven action yet.’
‘Blotting out the majesty of America’s national parks with a closeup of his own face is Trump’s crassest, most ego-driven action yet,’ Sucking said. ‘It’s disgusting of Trump to politicise America’s most sacred refuge by pasting his face over the national parks in the same way he slaps his corporate name on buildings, restaurants, and golf courses. The national parks are not a personal branding opportunity. They’re the pride and joy of the American people.’
