WEST PALM BEACH – President Trump’s plane has landed for the first time at Florida’s Palm Beach Airport, now named Donald J. Trump Presidential International Airport.
New signage in the area already reflects the change, but July 9 will be the day the new name officially takes effect. A bill that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed earlier this year encouraging name changes sparked controversy and litigation. But it could also be argued that President Donald Trump brought national attention to the former Palm Beach International Airport and increased its widespread recognition.
Passengers on President Trump’s plane, known as Trump Force One, celebrated as it landed just after 5 a.m., clapping and hugging each other as they stepped onto the tarmac. Eric Trump, Donald Trump Jr. and their new wife, Bettina Trump (formerly known as Anderson), gathered with other local officials who took the first ride from the airport.
Eric Trump told the Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Network, that United Parcel Service is typically the first to arrive each day. But it was important to him that the presidential plane “land on its first wheels.”
“This especially means a lot to me,” said Republican Florida Rep. Kim Kendall. She arrived at the airport on Thursday morning wearing a red shirt and a gold necklace with an airplane pendant.
Palm Beach County Mayor Sarah Baxter said taking part in the 30-minute flight was like “touching a piece of history.” Was there an on-board meal? No, she said. But when the plane landed, she and the other passengers applauded.
“It was so much fun,” she said later.
County Commissioner Maria Marino said she woke up at 3 a.m. to catch her flight Thursday. When asked if he wanted a window seat or an aisle seat, Marino said he sat on the couch.
“It was amazing. It was really impressive to get the lead, to get the lead,” she said. “No matter which side of the aisle you’re sitting on, this is a historic moment.”
As others began to disperse, Eric Trump returned to the plane. Inside, he said, he first used the airport as a toddler in 1984, and for several years after his father bought Mar-a-Lago the following year, his family flew in and out almost every weekend.
“There’s probably no one who has flown into this airport more than Donald Trump,” Eric Trump told the Post. “I think he deserves this honor.”
Trump has visited Palm Beach more than 60 times during his two non-consecutive terms as president. His airport arrivals and departures on these trips attracted media attention and coverage, particularly during the early years of his first administration. National broadcasters covered Air Force One’s takeoff and landing, putting the airport in front of millions of viewers.
Hannah Phillips covers criminal justice for the Palm Beach Post. Contact hphillips@pbpost.com.. Support our journalism and subscribe today.
Antonio Fins is the politics and business editor for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. Please contact us at afins@pbpost.com. Please support our journalism. Subscribe now.
Kinsey Crowley is a Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Please contact KCrowley@usatodayco.com. follow her X (Twitter), thread, blue sky and TikTok.
