GOP Pushes to Rename Dulles Airport After Trump Amid Controversy

DULLES, Va. — A Republican-led effort to rename Washington Dulles International Airport after former President Donald Trump has sparked debate, with lawmakers introducing legislation to rebrand the Northern Virginia transportation hub as “Donald J. Trump International Airport.”

Rep. Addison McDowell, a North Carolina Republican, introduced the bill on Thursday, which was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The proposal has gained traction following the GOP’s control of the White House and Congress, marking a shift from a similar 2024 effort that stalled under Democratic leadership.

“It’s disappointing, but entirely unsurprising, that House Republicans would rather focus their efforts on renaming airports to honor their dear leader than tackling the real issues facing Americans,” said Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, a Virginia Democrat whose district includes Dulles Airport.

The airport, which opened in 1962, is currently named after John Foster Dulles, who served as secretary of state under President Dwight Eisenhower. Dulles played a key role in shaping U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War, including strengthening alliances and supporting anti-Communist regimes.

If passed, the bill would make Dulles the seventh major U.S. airport named after a president. Other examples include John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Virginia, and George H.W. Bush International Airport in Houston.

The proposal has drawn criticism from Democrats, who argue that the focus should remain on addressing pressing issues such as economic recovery and infrastructure. Meanwhile, Republicans backing the bill, including Rep. Guy Reschenthaler of Pennsylvania and representatives from Texas, West Virginia, and Georgia, see it as a tribute to Trump’s legacy.

The debate over airport renaming is not limited to Dulles. In Tennessee, a separate effort is underway to rebrand Nashville International Airport, with proposals ranging from honoring former President Trump to celebrating country music icon Dolly Parton. A petition advocating for the latter has gained traction, citing Parton’s philanthropic work and cultural impact.

As the Dulles renaming bill moves through Congress, its fate remains uncertain, with both supporters and opponents preparing for a contentious debate over the intersection of politics and public infrastructure.