PALM BEACH COUNTY — The Palm Beach County Commission voted 4-3 on Tuesday to transfer trademark and commercial rights of Palm Beach International Airport to DTTM Operations LLC, clearing the way for the facility to be renamed President Donald J. Trump International Airport. Maria Sachs, a Democratic member of the commission, cast the deciding vote.

DTTM Operations LLC, a Delaware-based company that oversees licensing, marketing and intellectual property, is part of the Trump Organization and is led by Donald Trump Jr. The airport sits less than five miles from Mar-a-Lago.

Under the agreement, DTTM Operations may monetize the airport's new name, license the trademark to third parties, and earn revenue from branded merchandise sold outside the airport, including through Trump's existing online store. The company has the right to select all vendors that manufacture and supply the airport's branded merchandise, and any retailer selling DJT Airport merchandise must purchase products exclusively and directly from entities designated by DTTM Operations. The agreement prohibits direct financial compensation from goods sold at the airport itself.

The agreement also gives DTTM Operations final approval over the use of Trump's name, image and likeness at the airport, including photographs, descriptions and biographical references. Trademark attorney Josh Gerben said: "The clause effectively limits the county's editorial discretion, ensuring that portrayals of Trump, as both an individual and a former president, align with his personal preferences."

Gerben described the structure as unusual for an honorary naming. "Normally when you have an honorary naming of something like this, there may be some agreement with the family, but usually it's just, 'we're bestowing this honor upon you, we're going to call the airport this', and that's kind of the end of the story, right? But in this case, the [Trump] family filed trademarks. Trump's board is telling the county, 'No, you're a non-exclusive licensee', which means that they are retaining the right to use the marks themselves in whatever capacity they may want," he said.

Florida Republican lawmakers introduced legislation requiring completion of the renaming by July 1. County staff said that failing to comply with the law could risk transportation funding and grant assurances from the state.

Sachs said the commission's action was narrower than a renaming. "The board did not vote to change the name of the airport. Our vote was limited to approving a licensing agreement necessary to protect the county from trademark liability, and to ensure the lawful and uninterrupted operation of a critical public asset. This decision not only reflects good governance, but was supported by county administration, county staff, legal counsel, as well as the airport authority," she said.

Democratic U.S. Congresswoman Lois Frankel objected to the process. "It's misguided and unfair that the Republican-controlled Florida legislature ignored the voices of Palm Beach county. Decisions about naming major infrastructure should wait until after an honoree's service has concluded – and should include meaningful input from the local residents and communities most directly affected," she said.

Trump's lawyers filed trademark applications for the name President Donald J. Trump International Airport in February. The airport's IATA code will remain PBI until legislation amends it and the Federal Aviation Administration updates systems and charts.