And when they hit the golf course, he’s all about getting inside her head. Last year, Kai Trump spilled the tea on her unique bond with grandpa Donald – and believe me, you won’t be able to imagine what she opens up about…
Donald Trump’s big family is known for being tight-knit and full of colorful personalities. Among them is his 19-year-old granddaughter, Kai Trump, who’s been gaining attention.
Kai was quick to congratulate her grandpa when he secured another shot at the White House last year – and it wasn’t just a typical gesture of family loyalty. Their bond seems to go deeper than that.
While Kai has mostly stayed out of the spotlight in the past, her relationship with her grandpa, Donald, is one that’s clearly filled with love and respect.
So, who is Kai Trump really, and what’s it like being the granddaughter of one of the most prominent figures in America?
Kai Madison Trump is the first child of Donald Trump Jr. and his ex-wife, Vanessa, making her the eldest grandchild of Donald Trump’s 10 grandchildren.
Born on May 12, 2007, in New York, she was named after her maternal grandfather, Kai Ewans, a Danish jazz musician.
The story goes that Vanessa went into labor at a charity benefit in the city, and Kai, eager to meet the world, arrived two weeks early — just like a true Trump!
She weighed in at 6 pounds and 14 ounces.
Donald Trump Jr. was all smiles as he spoke to People magazine from the hospital, saying, ”Everyone’s great.”
As for Donald Trump himself, he was warming up to the idea of being a grandpa.
”It’s not something I had necessarily in mind, but it feels very nice,” he told New York Post after the news of Kai’s arrival broke.
Growing up in New York, Kai and her uncle Barron Trump are close in age — just 14 months apart — so they spent a lot of time together. Quite the Trump duo, right?
Although Kai was born and raised in the Big Apple, she now resides in Jupiter, Florida, with her mother.
In the early years of her upbringing, there wasn’t much public attention
Kai wasn’t often mentioned in the media, and one of the first public photos of her surfaced in 2014.
Getty Images
At just six years old, she was spotted at the second annual Invitational Grand Prix at the Mar-a-Lago Club, where she was captured on camera filming country star Hunter Hayes as he performed for the crowd before the event began.
As Donald Trump ramped up his campaign in 2016, Kai made a return to the spotlight, appearing in official family photos.
Before running for president, Donald Trump had placed his children in key roles within his company and television empire. However, they maintained a more low-key presence during his first presidential campaign.
As political expert Redd Galen, who worked on George Bush’s campaigns, put it: “When it comes to Trump’s family, I don’t think any of them really understood the full force of what a presidential campaign can bring to bear on a person.”
While Kai Trump kept a very low profile in 2016, she made a much stronger impression in 2024. For example, she was introduced by her father and spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention on July 17.
It was on the third day of the convention that Kai took the stage to share with America what her grandfather is really like.
“The media makes my grandpa seem like a different person. But I know him for who he is. He is very caring and loving. He truly wants the best for this country. And he will fight every single day to make America great again,” she said
In her first-ever speech, Kai also shared that the the president-elect is ”just a normal grandpa.” ”He gives us candy and soda when our parents aren’t looking,” the teen revealed.
Kai also mentioned that her grandfather always checks in on how his grandkids are ”doing in school.” She recalled, ”When I made the high honor roll, he printed it out to show his friends how proud he was of me.”
Many people felt that Kai made a very natural and impressive impression during her speech – but in reality, she was quite nervous, something she admitted afterwards.
”There were a lot more people than I expected, for sure. I didn’t think it was going to be that much,” she confessed in an interview with Grant Horvat.
Donald and Kai share a truly special bond, and one of the most emotional moments they’ve shared together was at the RNC.
For Kai, her speech was far more than just a public event — it was a deeply personal and powerful experience.
”It was really special for both of us,” Kai shared, reflecting on the moment.
”It was right after he was shot, and it was the first time I’d seen him since. That was really special. Like, we got a little teary-eyed both of us. I’ll never forget that,” Kai said
Kai Trump’s love for golf is undeniable, and it seems she’s following in some pretty impressive footsteps.
After moving to South Florida at the age of 13, Kai found herself right at home at The Benjamin School in North Palm Beach.
This school is known for producing some golf royalty, with famous golfers like Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman sending their kids there. Not to mention, Charlie Woods, Tiger Woods’ son, is also part of the school’s golf scene and helped the varsity team score a state title as a freshman.
But it’s not just school golf that Kai excels in.
Earlier this year, she won the ladies’ club championship at Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, showing she’s a serious competitor.
”Golf has always been a massive part of my life and is my biggest passion. I always aspire to be a leader and a positive figure on and off the golf course,” Kai’s SportsRecruits biography states.
Going to Miami University
There’s no doubt that Kai Trump is serious about pursuing a career in golf.
Her Instagram account, kaitrumpgolfer, makes it clear that she identifies as a golfer, at least on social media
In August 2024, she shared some more exciting news with her followers — the then-17-year-old announced her commitment to the University of Miami’s women’s golf team.
I am beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to the University of Miami,” Kai wrote in the caption. “I would like to thank my mom, Vanessa, and my dad, Don, for always supporting me through my journey. I would also like to thank my great team for getting me to this point.”
Kai didn’t forget to thank her grandfather, Donald Trump, in her post either.
“I would like to thank my grandpa for giving me access to great courses and tremendous support… ”
She officially graduated from The Benjamin School in Florida on May 15.
Intense battles with grandpa
Kai Trump clearly spends a lot of time on the golf course with her grandfather.
Her Instagram is full of snaps of the two of them swinging clubs and sharing laughs on the green. But what’s really going down on those fairways?
Well, according to Kai, things get pretty intense when it’s her versus Grandpa. Speaking to YouTuber Grant Horvat in July, she joked about how the competition is fierce when they play together
