By all appearances, Donald Trump wanted to see officials change the name of Washington Dulles International Airport, just outside of the nation’s capital, so that it bore his name. The president was so eager to make that happen that he was prepared to execute a scheme in hopes of forcing the hand of Democratic officials.
That effort ultimately failed, though he received a consolation prize of sorts: In Florida, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed a bill to rename Palm Beach International Airport after Trump, as part of a larger, partisan glorification crusade that has reinforced concerns that much of the GOP has turned into a personality cult.
But while the debate over the propriety of Florida Republicans’ decision is worthwhile, there was a separate issue that lingered as the process advanced. Shortly before GOP state legislators advanced the renaming proposal, the Trump Organization filed trademark applications for “President Donald J. Trump International Airport” and “Donald J. Trump International Airport,” as well as the possible “DJT” airport code.
Obvious questions soon followed. For example, would the president’s family business try to profit from Florida’s decision to rename the Palm Beach International Airport after him, either through royalties or licensing fees? The answers are coming into focus.
The New York Times reported that commissioners in Palm Beach County approved a trademark and licensing agreement with the president’s family business this week, and the practical implications are striking. From the article:
Under the new agreement, the Trump family won’t profit from branded merchandise sold at the airport. But the agreement does not prevent the family from profiting off any such merchandise sold outside the airport’s premises, according to Josh Gerben, a trademark lawyer.
It also gives the Trump family control over any biographical material presented at the airport, or on airport materials. And it requires the airport to pick a vendor to provide any branded merchandise from a list approved by the Trump family business.
County commissioners received the trademark and licensing agreement Monday before approving it Tuesday, suggesting there was no thoughtful or deliberative process.
In case this isn’t obvious, when Republicans renamed an airport after Ronald Reagan, there was no similar deal with the late president’s family. The same was true when officials named an airport in New York after John F. Kennedy.
But as is too often the case, Trump, his family, his family business and the partisans who cater to his ego prefer to play by their own set of rules.
The new name is set to take effect July 1. Watch this space.
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