The multi-million dollar transformation of Florida's Palm Beach International Airport into the President Donald J Trump International Airport is facing significant delays due to a major budget shortfall.
While the airport's website and highway signs have been updated, the physical infrastructure inside terminals, ticket counters, and baggage halls still displays the old name.
The new aviation industry designation, DJT, is scheduled to formally take effect on August 18.
State Mandate, Local Reluctance
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a state law in March mandating the name change, prompting a reluctant county commission to approve a trademark deal with the Trump Organization in May.
However, the state budget allocated only $2.75 million for the rebranding, covering just half of the total estimated cost of $5.5 million.
Palm Beach County is currently refusing to fund the remaining shortfall, with local officials arguing that taxpayers should not bear the financial burden of the state-imposed mandate.
"We will be able to make the baseline, necessary changes to signage with the $2,750,000.
But for the full extensive signage, we will be needing the other half of those funds from the state," county administrator Joseph Abruzzo stated.
The airport website previously indicated that remaining costs would be covered by the local Department of Airports, raising concerns that safety funds could be diverted.
County Commissioner Joel Flores, who voted against the licensing agreement, announced his intention to block any use of operational funds for the project.
"I will not personally be voting to utilize any operational funds towards this rebranding," Flores said.
"This should be solely on the state to be able to fund this. This is their initiative.
This is their imposition, their rule over a local municipality over a local airport, so they should be responsible," he added.
"We've also heard that, federally, they might be sending some dollars down, but I have not seen any bills or budgets that address that.
So until I see the money in the bank, I'm not going to count with it," Flores stated.
Phased Approach and Ongoing Legal Challenges
Rebeca Krogman, the public information officer for the Palm Beach department of airports, confirmed that a phased rollout is being implemented to align with available resources.
"As with any facility of this size, it would not be practical to list every individual sign or area that has or has not yet been updated," Krogman stated.
"We have begun updating all digital touchpoints, including the airport's website, social media platforms, and digital signage within the terminal.
Temporary signage is also being deployed across the campus pending installation of permanent signage, including the large welcome sign on Turnage Boulevard," she added.
"It is our intent to continue these improvements through the airport's normal budgeting process, primarily utilizing available external funding sources, such as the recent state allocation for signage upgrades, while actively pursuing additional opportunities, including legislative appropriations and grant funding," Krogman explained.
The Florida Department of Transportation has not commented on the matter, while two separate lawsuits have been filed to stop the rebranding process entirely.
Retired pilot George Poncy filed a lawsuit claiming that altering the decades-old PBI identifier could disrupt air traffic control navigation and create safety hazards.
A second lawsuit by trademark attorney Victoria Doyle argues the state lacks the legal authority to force a name change on a county-owned infrastructure.
"Trump's ego is going to demand upgrades to that airport as fast as possible," Doyle said.
"He's going to want it to be the best, most beautiful, most gold-laden airport on earth, and we could be on the hook.
I am suspicious of all statements about funding and wouldn't be surprised if the county ends up paying the money," she stated.
"The airport is an extremely upsetting topic to many people here. We are a majority Democratic county, and we were not asked our opinion of this renaming.
It was shoved down our throats from the state on high, and the money is a big part of why they're so upset.
Not only did we not want this rename, now we're going to have to pay for it? It's highly offensive to people who live here," Doyle concluded.
