How Trump Business Ownership of Airport Trademarks Would Violate the Domestic Emoluments Clause: How does the Domestic Emoluments Clause apply to these trademark applications? Who names airports? That’s right, Congress does, for airports under federal jurisdiction, and the states do for state-owned airports.
Trump has asked for the Palm Beach International Airport and Dulles International Airport to be named after him. Given that these applications also cover airport construction, it’s not a leap to think there may be future airports Trump wants to be named “DONALD J. TRUMP INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT” and/or “PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT,” especially if the proposed renaming of the Palm Beach and Dulles airports doesn’t happen. Note that the trademarks for the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport are owned by the public entity that runs the airport, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Federal Agency Assignee of United States (D.C. Body Politic and Corporate) ), NOT a private company.
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