O
n Tuesday, Florida’s leadership approved the transfer of almost three acres of downtown Miami land adjacent to the historic Freedom Tower to the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library Foundation. The parcel, valued at more than $66 million, was owned by Miami‑Dade College and had served as a parking lot for staff. Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state cabinet voted that the site would better serve the public and spur economic growth as a presidential library.

    The decision underscores the state’s continued support for Trump, who has made Florida his political base. The property sits on a prime stretch of Biscayne Boulevard, surrounded by upscale condominiums, a waterfront park, and the Miami Heat arena. The foundation, chaired by Eric Trump, Michael Boulos, and attorney James Kiley, announced that the library would be “the greatest Presidential Library ever built.”

    Under Florida’s constitution, the transfer of state property requires the concurrence of the attorney general, chief financial officer, commissioner of agriculture, and the governor. The move gives the foundation control over a highly desirable location that has long been considered a developer’s dream.

    The site’s proximity to the Freedom Tower—once a newspaper office and later a refuge for Cuban exiles—adds historical resonance. The tower, now a museum run by the college, has also been a focal point for protests against Trump’s immigration policies. While Cuban Americans in Miami have largely supported Trump, his hard‑line stance on deportations has sparked debate within the community.

    Earlier this year, DeSantis signed legislation preventing local governments from blocking the construction of a presidential library, a move aimed at overcoming opposition in more liberal counties. Other potential sites, such as Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton and Florida International University in suburban Miami, were previously discussed but ultimately set aside in favor of the downtown location.