F
lorida officials approved the transfer of nearly three acres of downtown Miami land next to the historic Freedom Tower to the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library Foundation. The parcel, owned by Miami‑Dade College and previously used for staff parking, was appraised at more than $66 million. Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state cabinet voted that the property would serve the public better and spur economic growth as the future library site.

    The decision follows a pattern of Florida Republicans backing Trump, who has made the state his political base. The location sits on a prime stretch of Biscayne Boulevard, surrounded by luxury condos, a waterfront park, and the Miami‑Heat arena. The Freedom Tower, a Spanish‑Revival landmark that once housed a newspaper and later became a refuge for Cuban exiles, now operates as a museum and a symbol of the city’s immigrant heritage. The tower has also been a focal point for protests against Trump’s immigration policies, even as Cuban Americans—who dominate local politics—have largely supported him.

    The transfer required approval from the state’s attorney general, chief financial officer, commissioner of agriculture, and the governor, as mandated by the Florida constitution. The foundation, led by trustees Eric Trump, Michael Boulos (Tiffany’s husband), and attorney James Kiley, announced that the library would be “the greatest Presidential Library ever built, honoring the greatest President,” according to a social‑media post by Eric Trump.

    Earlier this year, DeSantis signed legislation that bars local governments from blocking the construction of a presidential library, preempting opposition in more liberal counties. Other potential sites, such as Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton and Florida International University in suburban Miami, had been discussed but were not selected.

    The move gives the Trump Foundation control over a highly desirable property that could become a major tourist attraction and economic catalyst for downtown Miami.