Trump Organization licensing arm gains merchandising, trademark rights at renamed Palm Beach airport

Palm Beach County commissioners approved an agreement on Tuesday that gives a Trump Organization affiliate control over licensing and merchandising tied to the newly renamed President Donald J. Trump International Airport in Florida, opening a potential new revenue stream for President Donald Trump’s family business.

The deal grants DTTM Operations LLC—described as the Trump Organization unit that oversees licensing, marketing and intellectual property—authority to select vendors for Trump-branded merchandise sold at the airport and to monetize the airport’s name and trademark through third-party licensing.

While the agreement bars “direct financial compensation” from goods sold on site, it permits the Trump Organization to earn money from merchandise sold away from the airport, including through its online store. It also gives Trump final approval over how his name, image and likeness are presented at the airport, limiting the county’s editorial discretion.

Trademark attorney Josh Gerben, who reviewed the agreement and said he has no connection to it, described several elements as unusual compared with a typical honorary naming arrangement, including the degree of control retained by the Trump Organization.

The Palm Beach County Commission approved the agreement in a 4-3 vote. The article said commissioners faced concerns that failing to comply with state legislation could jeopardize transportation funding.