Palm Beach International Airport has served our community for generations. Since 1948, it has carried a name that reflects where it belongs: with the people of Palm Beach County. Now, Florida lawmakers are moving forward with a bill that would strip local control and force our airport to be renamed after Donald Trump.

This proposal, Senate Bill 706, is not a neutral administrative change. It would strip Palm Beach County residents of their voice and impose a political rebrand from Tallahassee, regardless of local opposition. This is especially troubling because Donald Trump is a deeply divisive and volatile political figure.

Across the country, his presidency and public conduct have sparked intense polarization, mass protests, criminal indictments, and ongoing national unrest. Turning a shared public gateway into a tribute to him risks alienating travelers, residents, and workers who rely on this airport every day.

There are also practical concerns. County officials have warned that renaming the airport would require expensive rebranding, from signage to marketing, with no clear plan for who pays. At a time when Floridians are struggling with rising housing costs, insurance crises, and climate threats, spending public resources on political vanity projects is irresponsible.

Even more alarming, SB 706 sets a dangerous precedent. By centralizing naming authority at the state level, it opens the door for future political interference in other Florida communities. Today it’s Palm Beach County. Tomorrow, it could be Orlando or another city entirely.

We urge the Florida Senate, the Florida House of Representatives, and Governor Ron DeSantis to reject SB 706. Respect home rule. Protect public spaces from political exploitation. Keep Palm Beach International Airport a place that serves everyone — not a symbol that divides us.