He sneaks her candy and soda when her parents aren’t looking.
And when they hit the golf course, he’s all about getting inside her head. Kai Trump has shared details about her unique bond with her grandfather, Donald Trump, and what it’s like growing up as the granddaughter of one of America’s most prominent figures.
Donald Trump’s big family is known for being tight-knit and full of colorful personalities. Among them is his granddaughter, Kai Trump, who has been gaining attention in recent years.
While Kai mostly stayed out of the spotlight in the past, her relationship with her grandfather is clearly filled with love and respect.
Kai Trump arrived like a real Trump
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 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 the 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.
Although Kai was born and raised in the Big Apple, she now resides in Jupiter, Florida, with her mother.
Out of the spotlight
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.
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.”
Speaking in 2024
While Kai Trump kept a very low profile in 2016, she made a much stronger impression in 2024. 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 her grandfather 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 afterward.
“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.
Kai’s reaction to her grandfather being shot
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 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.
Sharing a love of golf
Kai Trump’s love for golf is undeniable, and it seems she’s following in some 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. 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 in the 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 biography states.
Going to Miami University
There’s no doubt that Kai Trump is serious about pursuing a career in golf.
In August 2024, she shared some 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. “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 social media 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?
According to Kai, things get pretty intense when it’s her versus Grandpa. Speaking to YouTuber Grant Horvat, she joked about how the competition is fierce when they play together.
“It’s a stiff competition,” she said with a grin, hinting that Donald Trump isn’t exactly the type to let his grandkid win, even if she is family.
“Genuinely, he always gives me a run for my money. It’s pretty close,” she said.
“It’s never really like game over, and I’ve won on the 15th hole. He wins a lot of the time. I do have to say that. I’ve got to get better.”
Never changed
In the video with Grant Horvat, Kai took on a stroke play golf match at Trump National in Jupiter, Florida.
Naturally, many were curious to hear what she might reveal about her famous grandfather, but what really caught attention was how genuine and down-to-earth Kai comes across.
Perhaps her calm demeanor can be explained by the fact that growing up in the spotlight has always been normal for Kai.
“It’s never really changed who I am. I’m still very grounded; it’s all I’ve known my whole life,” she said.
Is she going into politics?
At the same time, Kai has always preferred to keep a low profile.
For those who aren’t too familiar with her and might catch her last name, Kai can live a pretty anonymous life without being immediately associated with her powerful family.
“I fit in with everyone else. You would not know at all and like that’s the way I like to keep it,” she explains.
But after her speech at the Republican National Convention, everything changed.
Her phone was blowing up, and suddenly she was in the headlines, especially after her grandfather, Donald Trump, won the election.
However, in the interview with Grant Horvat, Kai made it clear that politics is not her thing, at least not yet. She’s focused on her golf career and aims to become a professional.
Photos of Kai and her grandfather
When you look closely at photos of Kai Trump with her grandfather, Donald Trump, it’s hard to miss the bond they share.
There’s something special about the way they interact, something that speaks volumes even without words.
Whether it’s a warm smile, a shared joke, or simply being present with one another, these moments capture their connection.
Whether she’s on the green with her famous grandfather or standing before a national stage, Kai is determined to stay true to herself.
As she looks ahead to her future with the University of Miami’s women’s golf team, it’s clear Kai’s story is just beginning — and we’ll likely be seeing a lot more of this young golfer in the future.