The Trump Organization (TPO), led by the Trump family, has filed trademark applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for "Trump Airport" names as public infrastructure facilities named after President Donald Trump continue to multiply.
According to AP and The New York Times on May 21, TPO recently filed trademark applications for three names: "President Donald J. Trump International Airport," "Donald J. Trump International Airport," and "DJT."
The applications cover airport-related goods and services including airports, shuttle buses, umbrellas, luggage, and flight suits. The filings also seek rights to use the president's name on various airport-related items such as baggage, animal transport cages, and protective footwear for passengers during security screening.
TPO is President Trump's private company, currently operated in trust by his sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump. The company said it filed the trademark applications in response to ongoing discussions in the Florida state legislature about renaming an airport.
The Florida House of Representatives passed a bill on May 18 by a vote of 81-30 to rename Palm Beach International Airport, located approximately 8 kilometers from Trump's residence, to "President Donald J. Trump International Airport." A similar bill has been introduced in the state Senate. With Republicans controlling both chambers and the governorship, observers expect the bill to pass easily once party consensus is reached.
TPO stated that the trademark applications are not for financial gain but to protect the trademarks from bad actors. The company also claimed that President Trump's name is among the most infringed trademarks in the world, though it provided no specific evidence. AP reported it could not immediately verify the claim.
"To be clear, the president and his family will not receive any royalties, licensing fees, or financial consideration from the proposed airport renaming," TPO said. However, the company did not clearly answer AP's question about whether it might charge royalties for trademark use on the airport or related products.
Trademark attorney Josh Gerben noted: "While landmarks have been named to honor presidents or public officials, it is unprecedented in American history for a sitting president's private company to pursue trademark rights ahead of such naming. This trademark application is completely without precedent."
No U.S. airport has ever been named after a sitting president. Former Presidents Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, and Gerald Ford had airports named after them 11, 9, and 22 years after leaving office, respectively. President John F. Kennedy had New York's international airport renamed in his honor one month after his assassination.
Since President Trump took office in January last year, public facilities have been steadily renamed in his honor. A Washington, D.C. venue was renamed the "Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts," and a future class of Navy warships will be designated the "Trump class." A road near his Florida residence has been named "President Donald J. Trump Boulevard."