NEW YORK — President Trump’s family business has submitted federal trademark applications seeking exclusive control over using his name on airports, though the company states it won’t charge fees for at least one proposed airport renaming in Florida.
The Trump Organization’s filings with the federal trademark office request sole rights to the president’s name on airports and numerous airport-related items, including passenger shuttle buses, umbrellas, luggage, and flight suits. These applications come as Florida lawmakers debate legislation to rename Palm Beach airport after Trump, while separate disputes involve funding for a New York-New Jersey tunnel linked to proposals naming both that project and Virginia’s Dulles International Airport after the president.
According to the Trump Organization, the Florida legislation prompted these trademark applications, with the company emphasizing it seeks no financial gain — only defense against “bad actors” since the Trump name represents the “most infringed trademark in the world.”
“To be clear, the President and his family will not receive any royalty, licensing fee, or financial consideration whatsoever from the proposed airport renaming,” the company stated, referencing what’s currently known as Palm Beach International Airport, located near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort.
When questioned about potential future royalty charges for Trump’s name at other airports or on merchandise covered in the filings, the company didn’t provide an immediate response.
Trademark attorney Josh Gerben, who discovered these filings over the weekend, described the applications as unprecedented in his experience.
“While presidents and public officials have had landmarks named in their honor, a sitting president’s private company has never in the history of the United States sought trademark rights in advance of such naming,” Gerben explained on his blog. “I should be very clear: these are trademark filings that are completely unprecedented.”
The applications submitted by DTTM Operations, a Trump family company division, to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office cover three variations — President Donald J. Trump International Airport, Donald J. Trump International Airport and DJT.
Over the past year, the family has expanded their branding efforts, attaching the Trump name to towers, golf facilities and housing projects across Dubai, India, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam. The company has additionally marketed Trump-branded electric guitars, bibles and sneakers through the same DTTM division.
Addressing concerns about profiting from his presidency, Trump has maintained that his business operates under a trust managed by his sons, with no direct daily involvement from him.
