What was supposed to be a tribute to President Donald Trump is quickly turning into a public relations headache.
Just days after Palm Beach International Airport was officially renamed President Donald J. Trump International Airport, angry travelers are flooding the airport with complaints, vows to boycott the facility, and sarcastic messages mocking the decision.
Airport officials appeared to anticipate the backlash. After the name change took effect, the airport added a notice above its online comment form acknowledging that the renaming “may be received in different ways by our passengers” and thanking travelers for their patience during the transition.
That disclaimer didn’t exactly calm people down.
According to messages obtained by NOTUS through a Florida Public Records Act request, dozens of travelers used the airport’s feedback form to vent their frustration during the first five days after the new name went into effect.
One commenter mocked the airport for needing a disclaimer in the first place, while another joked that the airport should install “airbags” for travelers who might become sick upon seeing Trump’s name on the building.
“It’s truly entertaining that you had to add a disclaimer to this form explaining the renaming of your airport after our racist, xenophobic, misogynistic 47th president,” one person wrote. Another joked that the airport should install “airbags” for travelers who might become sick upon seeing Trump’s name on the building.
Others questioned why a public airport had been renamed after a sitting president at all.
Several people said the decision was enough to permanently change their travel plans.
One business owner wrote that the company would reroute employees through other Florida airports rather than support the newly renamed facility.
Another traveler said their entire family would stop flying into Palm Beach as long as Trump’s name remained on the airport.
A visitor from Canada described the airport as a well-run facility but said the new name would keep them away despite the inconvenience of flying elsewhere.
Many commenters said they planned to use nearby South Florida airports instead.
Others took a more sarcastic approach.
One person wrote that they wouldn’t fly through the airport “even if everyone got a free car,” while another submitted a fake message under the name “Donald Trump” asking whether the airport offered complimentary flights to Jeffrey Epstein’s private island—a reference to Trump’s past friendship with the late financier. Trump has denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein.
Many of the comments also included harsh personal criticism of the president, while only a small number praised the decision.
Supporters argued that Trump deserved the honor because of his accomplishments in office and applauded the renaming.
The controversy hasn’t been limited to online comments.
Speaking to reporters at the airport after the name change, Florida resident Pat Brown called the move “disgusting,” “ridiculous,” and “pompous.”
Another local resident, Phyllis Malmuth, said she resented seeing Trump’s name attached to yet another public institution.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the legislation renaming the airport earlier this year. The facility sits just a few miles from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, making it one of the closest major airports to the president’s Florida home.
Despite the backlash, the administration and Trump’s allies have shown little interest in revisiting the decision.
Eric Trump dismissed the controversy as only “slightly controversial,” while President Trump himself appeared unfazed, posting instead about celebrity sightings at the airport.
But judging by the flood of complaints—and the number of travelers promising to take their business elsewhere—the airport’s new name has generated far more turbulence than officials may have anticipated.
