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    Palm Beach County Signs Off On Trump Airport Trademark Deal

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    admin
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    Image via Pixabay

    Palm Beach County commissioners narrowly approved a controversial trademark agreement Tuesday that clears the way for Palm Beach International Airport to be renamed after President Donald Trump — pushing forward a politically charged project that has divided local leaders and raised fresh concerns about taxpayer costs and oversight.

    In a 4-3 vote, the commission signed off on a licensing deal with DTTM Operations LLC, the Trump family company that manages the president’s trademarks. The agreement gives Trump’s organization significant control over how the airport’s new identity is used, including authority over branding, marketing materials and the sale of airport-themed merchandise.

    The vote marks the first official action by county commissioners tied directly to the airport renaming effort, which was mandated earlier this year by Florida lawmakers and signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

    Under the agreement, the airport is expected to adopt the name “President Donald J. Trump International Airport,” matching trademark filings submitted by Trump’s company in February.

    Supporters of the deal argued the county had little choice but to move forward after state lawmakers forced the renaming through Tallahassee. Republican commissioners said approving the trademark agreement ensures Palm Beach County retains at least some role in negotiations surrounding the airport’s future branding and operations.

    But critics warned the agreement grants unusually broad authority to Trump’s business organization while locking the county into a deal with no clear exit strategy.

    Democratic commissioners Gregg Weiss, Joel Flores and Bobby Powell Jr. voted against the measure, saying they were given less than 24 hours to review the final agreement before Tuesday’s meeting.

    They also raised concerns about provisions allowing Trump’s company to approve how the president’s image and biography are used in airport promotions and displays. Another clause requires airport retailers to source airport-branded merchandise only from vendors approved by Trump’s organization.

    Trademark attorney Josh Gerben said portions of the agreement go beyond what is typically included in standard licensing deals.

    “Normally a trademark agreement focuses on quality control standards,” Gerben said. “It’s unusual to see language requiring retailers to purchase merchandise from approved sellers selected by the trademark owner.”

    County Attorney David Ottey defended the provision during Tuesday’s meeting, saying it was designed to maintain quality standards and insisting the Trump family would not financially benefit from sales made inside the airport. However, county officials acknowledged they still do not know which vendors may ultimately be approved.

    The agreement also contains no termination clause, meaning Palm Beach County would remain bound by the deal indefinitely unless state law changes in the future.

    Beyond the political controversy, county officials continue to warn about the financial impact of the renaming project. Administrators estimate the airport overhaul — including signage changes, marketing updates, federal documentation and operational adjustments — could cost taxpayers roughly $5.5 million.

    County leaders have repeatedly urged the state to cover those costs rather than forcing local officials to redirect funding away from other infrastructure projects.

    Officials have also raised concerns in recent months about possible safety and logistical complications tied to changing the airport’s name, particularly involving aviation systems, emergency coordination and federal regulatory updates.

    Still, with Tuesday’s approval now complete and Trump having already signed the agreement over the weekend, the renaming effort appears poised to move ahead — cementing one of the most politically symbolic airport name changes in the country.

    This article originally appeared on Official Trump Tracker. Republished with permission.

    FROM THE DESK OF DONALD TRUMP JR. Democrats tried to rig the census by counting millions of illegal immigrants — giving blue states more power in Congress. Now we’re making sure only American citizens are counted. But first, we need to verify our own records. CONFIRM YOUR VOTER INFORMATION NOW.

    Trump Lifts Jones Act Shipping Rule To Lower Oil Costs Amid Iran War

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    1
    The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    President Donald Trump has issued a 60-day waiver of the century-old Jones Act, allowing foreign ships to transport oil and other resources between U.S. ports, a White House official told FOX Business on Wednesday.

    The Jones Act requires that cargo shipped between U.S. ports be carried on American-built, American-owned vessels crewed primarily by U.S. citizens. The temporary waiver suspends those requirements to ease short-term supply disruptions.

    “President Trump’s decision to issue a 60-day Jones Act waiver is another step to mitigate disruptions to the oil market as the U.S. military continues meeting the objectives of Operation Epic Fury,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement posted on X. “This action will allow vital resources like oil, natural gas, fertilizer, and coal to flow more freely to U.S. ports.”

    Press secretary Karoline Leavitt framed the move as a short-term fix tied to ongoing military operations, saying it would help “vital resources…flow freely” during the disruption.

    But the backlash was immediate.

    Shipping industry groups warn the waiver could sideline U.S. workers under the guise of emergency policy. And despite the political urgency, they say consumers shouldn’t expect relief at the pump — the estimated impact on gas prices is basically negligible.

    At the same time, frustration is building inside the administration over allies who are largely staying out of efforts to secure the Strait.

    Trump made that frustration public, floating the idea that maybe those countries should handle the problem themselves.

    “I wonder what would happen if we ‘finished off’ what’s left of the Iranian Terror State, and let the Countries that use it, we don’t, be responsible for the so called ‘Straight?’ (sic) That would get some of our non-responsive ‘Allies’ in gear, and fast!!!” Trump wrote.

    FROM THE DESK OF DONALD TRUMP JR. Democrats tried to rig the census by counting millions of illegal immigrants — giving blue states more power in Congress. Now we’re making sure only American citizens are counted. But first, we need to verify our own records. CONFIRM YOUR VOTER INFORMATION NOW.

    Former Fox News Host Slams ‘Sell-Out’ Network Amid Dominion Lawsuit

      By
      Madeleine Jackson
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      Looking east towards 6th Avenue along north (48th Street) side of Fox News building on a snowy afternoon. [Photo Credit: Jim.henderson, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons]

      Former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly had nothing to say about his former employer during a recent interview.

      Dominion Voting Systems sued Fox News for $1.6 billion alleging the cable news giant intentionally aired false claims about the company being made by former President Trump and his supporters.

      “I’ll tell ya this, I would never have done what CNN and MSNBC did on Russian collusion or what Fox did on election fraud,” O’Reilly said Monday evening during an appearance on Chris Cuomo’s NewsNation show. “I would rather be fired, I would leave the job … I am not going to sell out for ratings, ever. And I never have.”

      O’Reilly’s comments follow a bombshell report that detailed private internal messages between Fox Employees showed top hosts expressed concern about the claims being made by Trump and his aides while expressing doubts about how the channel’s audience would react to fact checks of those assertions. (RELATED: Fox News Trashed Trump’s Election Fraud Claims: Court Documents)

      Fox has defended itself on First Amendment grounds, and last week in a filing of its own questioned Dominion’s motives and financial valuation.

      “There will be a lot of noise and confusion generated by Dominion and their opportunistic private equity owners, but the core of this case remains about freedom of the press and freedom of speech, which are fundamental rights afforded by the Constitution and protected by New York Times v. Sullivan. Dominion has mischaracterized the record, cherry-picked quotes stripped of key context, and spilled considerable ink on facts that are irrelevant under black-letter principles of defamation law,” the network said.

      O’Reilly, a former top prime-time host at the network, left Fox in 2017 amid allegations of sexual harassment.

      New Poll Exposes Democrats’ True Thoughts About Biden

      By
      Norman Leahy
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      Joe Biden via Gage Skidmore Flickr

      There’s a wealth of new polling data on the Democratic presidential nomination contest, with polls from The Wall Street Journal and Associated Press both finding that even Democratic voters are concerned that President Joe Biden is too old to run.

      The AP/NORC poll of adults (not registered voters) found that 77 percent of respondents believed Biden was too old to serve another term.

      And for the hardened Team Blue partisans who shout “ageism!” at such findings…69 percent of self-identified Democrats said Biden’s age is a big issue (among Republicans, it was a whopping 89 percent – which shouldn’t come as a surprise).

      But this must be a fluke, an outlier, and a one-off. Surely, the age issue can’t be that big a deal for Mr. Biden. Except The Wall Street Journal poll confirmed it is.

      The Journal asked a split question – one if voters think Biden’s mental fitness is sufficient for the job, the other specifically on whether he is “too old.”

      On the mental ability, 60 percent questioned Biden’s mental ability. On age, a total of 73 percent said he is “too old.”

      What are the comparable numbers for former President Donald Trump?

      A 49-46 split says Trump isn’t mentally up for the job. On age, another spilt, with 47 percent saying he’s too old and 45 saying he isn’t.

      As always with polls, the numbers are snapshots in time and subject to change.

      What these data points do, though, is reinforce narratives that have long been whispered in Democratic circles: Biden’s time has passed, and he would be wise to bow out and allow someone else to take the fight to what looks like Donald Trump in 2024.

      But such whispers against an incumbent are very hard to translate into hard reality. What could bring them a tad bit closer to the fore are the other items in the Journal poll, particularly the sense that most people think the economy has hit a rough patch, and they are feeling the effects:

      …58% of voters say the economy has gotten worse over the past two years, whereas only 28% say it has gotten better, and nearly three in four say inflation is headed in the wrong direction. Those views were echoed in the survey by large majorities of independents, a group that helped deliver Biden’s victory over Trump in the 2020 presidential race. Voters were almost evenly split on the direction of the job market.

      It’s not a wipeout for Biden, but the data are hardly comforting to an incumbent who has staked his presidency on a massive reworking of the economy, with government intervention and support leading the way. Team Blue partisans will say it’s early, these things take time, etc., etc. And they aren’t entirely wrong.

      But there’s also the iron law of politics to contend with: if you’re explaining, you’re losing. And until the data show voters are feeling better about their own particular economic situation, then Mr. Biden will need more than a slogan – “Bidenomics” – and promises of widespread prosperity to save his own political future.

      The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Great America News Desk. It first appeared in American Liberty News. Republished with permission.

      Axios Fires Reporter After Calling DeSantis Press Release ‘Propaganda’

        By
        Madeleine Jackson
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        1
        Ron DeSantis via Gage Skidmore Flickr

        A reporter was fired from the new outlet Axios after calling a news release from Florida’s Department of Education “propaganda” in an emailed response to the department.

        “This is propaganda, not a press release,” Tampa Bay reporter Ben Montgomery said in a reply to a release from Florida’s Department of Education about an event with Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), according to a screenshot posted Monday by the department’s communications director.

        DeSantis’s deputy press secretary Jeremy Redfern replied to the screenshot: “Is this a journalism?”

        Axios’ Editor-in-Chief Sara Kehaulani Goo confirmed that Montgomery is no longer with Axios but declined to discuss the conditions of his departure. Montgomery’s last article listed on Axios’ site is dated Tuesday. 

        Montgomery shared a post from Vanity Fair staff writer Charlotte Klein that said he’d been fired over the email but didn’t comment on the news directly, instead offering a cheeky response to the recent change, “Some personal news: I made crepes this morning for the first time in years. Strawberry compote and whipped cream. They were delicious.”

        The press release Montgomery was commenting on announced that DeSantis would host a roundtable discussion “exposing the diversity equity and inclusion scam in higher education.” The Florida governor in the release argued “the woke mob” is pushing “political indoctrination” onto students.

        Fired Epstein Prosecutor Sues Trump Over Her Ouster

          By
          Madeleine Jackson
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          2
          By Ralph Alswang, White House photographer - https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/clinton-epstein-maxwell/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=143417695

          Former Southern District of New York prosecutor Maurene Comey has filed a lawsuit alleging her removal from the U.S. Attorney’s office was “unlawful and unconstitutional” — and claims it likely happened because of who her father is.

          Comey, who is the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, was fired in July by Attorney General Pam Bondi. The younger Comey had worked on several high-profile prosecutions, including those of Sean “Diddy” Combs, disgraced gynecologist Robert Hadden, and Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

          In her lawsuit, Comey argues that she was dismissed “for no reason,” and calls the termination politically motivated. “The politically motivated termination of Ms. Comey — ostensibly under ‘Article II of the Constitution’ — upends bedrock principles of our democracy and justice system,” the lawsuit reads, according to the Times. “Assistant United States attorneys like Ms. Comey must do their jobs without fearing or favoring any political party or perspective, guided solely by the law, the facts and the pursuit of justice.”

          The suit names the “Office of the President,” Bondi, and other officials as defendants.

          Politics, Legacy, and Accountability

          Comey’s claim that her firing was rooted in partisan politics comes against the backdrop of her family’s history. Her father, James Comey, was fired as FBI Director by Donald Trump in 2017 after a series of controversies over his handling of the Clinton email investigation and the Russia probe. Critics say her lawsuit now risks framing any legitimate personnel decision as political retaliation simply because of her last name.

          Bondi, a former Florida attorney general and longtime Trump ally, has not publicly commented on the lawsuit. Supporters of the administration argue that the president has constitutional authority to remove U.S. Attorneys at will — a power that has been upheld across multiple administrations. While career federal prosecutors are expected to be insulated from political pressure, they ultimately serve at the pleasure of the president.

          Comey’s Farewell Message Warned of “Fear”

          In a sharp farewell note to colleagues, Comey appeared to aim barbs at Trump and Bondi. “Fear is the tool of a tyrant,” she wrote in a message obtained by Politico. “If a career prosecutor can be fired without reason, fear may seep into the decisions of those who remain. Do not let that happen.”

          “We have entered a new phase where ‘without fear’ may be the challenge,” she continued, referencing the office’s longtime motto of impartiality, and urging prosecutors to hold fast. “Let this moment fuel the fire that already burns at the heart of this place… Of commitment to seek justice for victims. Of dedication to truth above all else.”

          2025 is a crucial year for America. Join the movement and renew your Heritage Foundation membership HERE. [RUSH YOUR DONATION]

          Ted Cruz Responds To Trump Supreme Court Chatter

          By
          Madeleine Jackson
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          1
          Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America,

          Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) has issued an unmistakable response to renewed talk that President Donald Trump could nominate him to the Supreme Court.

          His answer: “Not just no, but hell no.”

          Cruz delivered the fiery rejection during an appearance on the “Hang Out with Sean Hannity” podcast, making clear that he would rather remain in the political arena than trade the Senate for a lifetime appointment to the nation’s highest court.

          “So look, my answer is not just no, but hell no,” Cruz told Hannity. “And listen, I don’t say that lightly. I mean, it’s a big deal. The court is an institution I revere.”

          Cruz acknowledged that his refusal may surprise those familiar with his legal career, much of which unfolded in and around the Supreme Court.

          “A lot of people are surprised because I’ve spent an awful lot of my professional life around the court, in the court,” he said. “And for so many people, it is their life dream to do.”

          Cruz Wants To Stay In The Fight

          The Texas Republican explained that serving as a federal judge would require him to step away from the political and policy battles that have defined his Senate career.

          “Because a principled federal judge stays out of politics and stays out of policy fights,” Cruz said, according to Fox News.

          That restraint appears to be precisely what makes the position unappealing to Cruz. Although he expressed deep respect for the court, his comments suggest he prefers fighting publicly for conservative priorities rather than weighing cases from behind the bench.

          Cruz also called Trump a “good friend,” signaling that his rejection was aimed at the job—not the president who has repeatedly floated his name.

          Trump Keeps Floating His Name

          Trump has long praised Cruz’s legal credentials, even after their famously bruising battle for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.

          During a Washington event in January, Trump called Cruz a “brilliant legal mind” before joking that a Cruz nomination could produce a rare unanimous Senate vote.

          “If I nominate him for the U.S. Supreme Court, I will get 100% of the vote,” Trump said. “The Democrats will vote for him because they want to get him the hell out. And the Republicans will vote for him because they want to get him the hell out too,” according to the Houston Chronicle.

          The joke drew laughs, but Trump’s interest has not always been hypothetical. He placed Cruz among 20 potential Supreme Court nominees on his 2020 shortlist, the Texas Tribune reported.

          At the time, Cruz called the consideration “humbling” and “an immense honor,” but emphasized that he expected to continue defending Texans and constitutional liberties in the Senate.

          His latest answer leaves considerably less room for speculation.

          A Résumé Built For The Court

          On paper, Cruz possesses many of the qualifications normally associated with a Supreme Court contender.

          He earned his undergraduate degree from Princeton University and graduated from Harvard Law School before clerking for Chief Justice William Rehnquist. Cruz later served as Texas solicitor general, arguing eight cases before the Supreme Court in that role and a ninth after returning to private practice, according to his official Senate biography.

          He entered the Senate in 2013 and has since built a national profile as one of the chamber’s most aggressive conservative voices.

          Cruz clearly reveres the Supreme Court. He simply does not want to join it.

          And if Trump ever formally asks, the Texas senator has already prepared his answer.

          DeSantis Opens ‘Deportation Depot’ in Florida a Day After Alligator Alcatraz Court Victory

          By
          Madeleine Jackson
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          0
          Ron DeSantis via Gage Skidmore Flickr

          Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has opened “Deportation Depot” migrant detention center in Florida, a follow-up to the embattled “Alligator Alcatraz.”

          “Deportation Depot” is located about 45 miles away from Jacksonville in the community of Sanderson, at the site of the Baker Correctional Institution.

          The facility has the capacity for 1,500 detainees, Fox News reported. As of Friday, a little over 100 migrants had been moved there.

          DeSantis said last month that he moved to begin work on a new facility to fulfill an urgent need for more shelter for illegal migrants as they’re rounded up by ICE agents throughout the state.

          “There is a demand for this,” DeSantis told reporters at the time. “I’m confident that it will be filled.”

          The opening of the new facility came a day after the $250 million “Alligator Alcatraz” was granted a rare win by an appeals court.

          The detention center was ordered to ship out all detainees and close within 60 days. The ruling by Judge Kathleen M. Williams stemmed from a lawsuit filed by the Friends of the Everglades and the Miccosukee Tribe that accused the Sunshine State of violating the National Environmental Policy Act.

          A stay on Williams’ ruling was granted by a three-judge panel in Atlanta on Thursday, pending an appeal. “Alligator Alcatraz” can continue holding detainees for now.

          In a video posted on his X account Thursday, DeSantis declared: “The mission continues on immigration enforcement.”

          Until yesterday, “Alligator Alcatraz” faced a series of legal and PR losses, with some detainees alleging mistreatment.

          I SURVIVED an assassin’s bullet — now I fight for YOU. Chip in $15 and STAND WITH TRUMP!

          Special Prosecutor Assigned To Trump 2020 Election Case

          By
          Madeleine Jackson
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          President Donald Trump participates in a welcome ceremony with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Al Saud at the Royal Court Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

          A new twist has emerged in the Fulton County election interference case against President Donald Trump. On Friday, a special prosecutor was appointed to replace embattled District Attorney Fani Willis (D), who was disqualified after a court found her romantic relationship with a top prosecutor created an appearance of impropriety.

          Peter Skandalakis, executive director of Georgia’s Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council (PAC), announced that after failing to find another willing candidate, he would step in personally to oversee the case.

          “Several prosecutors were contacted and, while all were respectful and professional, each declined the appointment,” Skandalakis said in a statement. “Out of respect for their privacy and professional discretion, I will not identify those prosecutors or disclose their reasons for declining.”

          The move came just as a judge-imposed deadline loomed for PAC to name a new prosecutor—or risk seeing the entire case dismissed.

          Skandalakis explained that while “it would have been simple” to let the deadline expire, he believed “that was not the right course of action,” citing the public’s interest in ensuring the matter is resolved properly.

          The Georgia court’s decision to remove Willis cast major doubt on the future of the case, which accuses Trump and several allies of racketeering and other charges related to challenging the 2020 election results. Trump and most of his co-defendants have pleaded not guilty, maintaining that they did nothing wrong in questioning the outcome of the election. Four others accepted plea deals.

          With Willis out, Skandalakis now has full discretion over whether to continue pursuing the case or to drop the charges entirely.

          “My only objective is to ensure that this case is handled properly, fairly, and with full transparency—discharging my duties without fear, favor, or affection,” he said.

          This isn’t the first time Skandalakis has been involved in a high-profile matter stemming from Willis’s conduct. After she was previously barred from investigating Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones (R) due to her involvement in a political fundraiser against him, Skandalakis also took over—and ultimately declined to bring charges.

          Citing that past experience, he said his familiarity with similar issues makes him the best candidate to take over the Trump case.

          The original indictment accused Trump and more than a dozen associates of an “unlawful conspiracy” to challenge President Biden’s 2020 victory in Georgia. The case is one of several politically charged prosecutions targeting Trump during his campaign to return to the White House—the first criminal cases ever brought against a then-former U.S. president.

          Trump was previously convicted in New York on business record charges tied to a 2016 hush money payment. Meanwhile, his two federal prosecutions—for alleged election interference and mishandling classified documents—were dismissed following his reelection to a second term.

          PAC officials had confirmed as late as Thursday that no replacement had been found, suggesting the decision came together quickly.

          On Monday, Skandalakis addressed Trump’s recent presidential pardons for several allies charged in the Georgia case, saying his office had “diligently” worked on the matter since Willis’s removal and would continue to do so “without being influenced by matters outside the scope of our assigned task.”

          He also clarified that Trump’s pardons apply only to federal charges, not state cases.

          “Therefore, the task before my office remains unchanged,” Skandalakis said.

          New York is at a breaking point. Join the fight to stop Hochul and the radical Left — add your name to endorse Elise Stefanik now!

          Trump Announces Plan To Drop Sanctions On Syria

          By
          Madeleine Jackson
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          0
          By The White House from Washington, DC - President Trump and The First Lady Participate in an Abraham Accords Signing Ceremony, Public Domain,

          President Donald Trump announced the United States will soon drop sanctions against Syria.

          During lengthy remarks on Tuesday, Trump laid out his vision for the Middle East, sharing a major announcement: He intends to drop sanctions against Syria.

          “I will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness,” Trump said in a speech in Saudi Arabia, his first stop on the first international tour of his second term in office. 

          “In Syria, which has seen so much misery and death, there is a new government that we must all hope will succeed in stabilizing the country and keeping peace,” he said. “So I say good luck, Syria.”

          The nation was cut off from the global financial system under ousted President Bashar al-Assad’s government, imposed during 14 years of civil war. 

          Trump called the sanctions “brutal and crippling” but “important” at the time.

          Trump said both Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Erdoğan had encouraged him to lift the sanctions. 

          “Oh, what I do for the crown prince,” Trump quipped. 

          U.S. sanctions had slapped financial penalties on any foreign individual or company that provided material support to the Syrian government and prohibited anyone in the U.S. from dealing in any Syrian entity, including oil and gas, and Syrian banks were effectively cut off from global financial systems. 

          Trump also revealed he has invited Saudi Arabia to join his historic Abraham Accords.

          “It has been an amazing thing, the Abraham Accords,” Trump said at a Saudi Arabia investment conference. “And it’s my fervent hope, wish, and even my dream that Saudi Arabia, a place I have so much respect for … will soon be joining the Abraham Accords. I think it will be a tremendous tribute to your country.”

          Trump negotiated the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, at the end of his first term in office. Now, he is hoping to see Saudi Arabia join it as well.

          During lengthy remarks, Trump laid out his vision for the Middle East. Minutes later, he made a second major announcement: He intends to drop sanctions against Syria.

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