He sneaks her candy and soda when her parents aren’t watching.
And out on the golf course? Grandpa Donald’s all about getting inside her head.
Now, Kai Trump is finally opening up about her one-of-a-kind bond with her grandpa — and trust me, what she reveals will surprise you.
Donald Trump’s large family is known for being tight-knit and full of vibrant personalities. Among them is his 17-year-old granddaughter, Kai Trump, who’s been stepping into the spotlight lately.
When Donald Trump secured another shot at the White House, Kai was quick to congratulate him — but their connection goes far beyond simple family support.
Though she’s mostly stayed behind the scenes, Kai’s relationship with her grandpa is undeniably built on love, admiration, and a special understanding.
So, who is Kai Trump really? And what’s it like growing up as the granddaughter of one of America’s most high-profile figures?
Meet Kai Madison Trump — the firstborn of Donald Trump Jr. and his ex-wife, Vanessa. As the eldest among Donald Trump’s 10 grandchildren, she’s already carving out her own story.
Born on May 12, 2007, in New York City, Kai carries a name rich with family history. She was named after her maternal grandfather, Kai Ewans — a celebrated Danish jazz musician.
Legend has it, Vanessa went into labor at a bustling charity event, and Kai made her grand entrance two weeks early — just like a true Trump, bold and unmissable from day one!
Kai tipped the scales at a healthy 6 pounds, 14 ounces.
Donald Trump Jr. was all smiles as he spoke to People magazine from the hospital, sharing, “Everyone’s great.”
Meanwhile, Donald Trump himself was just warming up to the idea of becoming a grandpa.
“It’s not something I had necessarily in mind, but it feels very nice,” he told the New York Post shortly after Kai’s arrival made headlines.
Growing up in New York, Kai and her uncle Barron Trump are just 14 months apart, making them close in age and close in bond — quite the dynamic Trump duo!
Though born and raised in the Big Apple, Kai now calls Jupiter, Florida home, living with her mom.
Keeping it low-key
In her early years, Kai stayed largely out of the spotlight.
She wasn’t frequently mentioned in the media, and it wasn’t until 2014 that one of the first public photos of her surfaced — a rare glimpse of the young Trump granddaughter.
At just six years old, Kai was spotted at the second annual Invitational Grand Prix at the Mar-a-Lago Club — where she was caught on camera filming country star Hunter Hayes as he performed for the crowd before the event kicked off.
As Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign heated up, Kai made a subtle return to the spotlight, appearing in official family photos that hinted at her growing presence.
Before diving into politics, Donald Trump had already placed his children in key roles across his business and TV empire, yet during that first presidential run, the family kept a relatively low-key public profile.
Political expert Redd Galen, who worked on George Bush’s campaigns, remarked, “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 out in 2024
Fast forward to 2024 — Kai stepped into the limelight in a way she hadn’t before. On July 17, during the third day of the Republican National Convention, she took the stage to give America a glimpse of the real Donald Trump.
“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,” Kai told the crowd with heartfelt conviction.
In her very first public speech, the teen also let slip a personal side of the president-elect, calling him “just a normal grandpa.”
“He gives us candy and soda when our parents aren’t looking,” she revealed, sharing a sweet and relatable family moment that made everyone smile.
Kai also revealed a tender side of her grandpa — he always checks in on how his grandkids are doing in school.
“When I made the high honor roll, he printed it out to show his friends how proud he was of me,” she fondly recalled.
Many viewers felt Kai’s speech was natural and impressive, but behind the scenes, she admitted she was quite nervous.
“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 grandpa being shot
The bond between Donald and Kai runs deep, and one of their most emotional moments came at the Republican National Convention.
For Kai, her speech wasn’t just a public appearance — it was a profoundly personal experience.
“It was really special for both of us,” she shared, reflecting on the occasion.
“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 for golf
Kai’s passion for golf is clear, and she’s following in some impressive footsteps.
After moving to South Florida at age 13, Kai settled in at The Benjamin School in North Palm Beach — a place known for grooming golf royalty.
This school boasts famous golf families, including Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman’s children, and even Tiger Woods’ son, Charlie Woods, who helped the varsity team clinch a state title as a freshman.
But Kai’s golf skills aren’t just limited to school tournaments.
Earlier this year, she claimed victory in the ladies’ club championship at Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida — proving she’s a serious contender on the green.
“Golf has always been a massive part of my life and is my biggest passion. I aspire to be a leader and a positive figure both on and off the course,” Kai proudly shares in her SportsRecruits biography.
And she’s not just talking the talk — Kai is serious about turning her love for golf into a future career.
Her Instagram handle, @kaitrumpgolfer, leaves no doubt: golf is at the heart of her identity.
In August 2024, the 17-year-old thrilled her followers with exciting news — she officially committed to join the University of Miami’s women’s golf team, marking a big step toward chasing her dreams.
“I am beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to the University of Miami,” Kai wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post. “I want to thank my mom, Vanessa, and my dad, Don, for always supporting me through my journey. I also want to thank my amazing team for getting me here.”
Of course, Kai didn’t forget to give a special shoutout to her grandpa, Donald Trump.
“I’d like to thank my grandpa for giving me access to great courses and tremendous support…” she added warmly.
Intense battles with Grandpa
Kai clearly spends plenty of quality time on the golf course with her grandfather. Her Instagram is packed with snapshots of the two swinging clubs, sharing laughs, and enjoying each other’s company.
But don’t be fooled — those friendly games get serious.
Chatting with YouTuber Grant Horvat in July, Kai joked about the fierce competition between her and Grandpa Trump.
“It’s a stiff competition,” she said with a grin. “He’s not the type to let me win just because I’m family!”
“Honestly, he always gives me a run for my money. It’s usually pretty close,” she added.
“It’s never game over early — sometimes I win on the 15th hole, but he wins most of the time. I definitely need to step up my game.”
Staying grounded
In the same video, filmed during a stroke play match at Trump National in Jupiter, Florida, Kai showed a genuine, down-to-earth side that surprised many.
Fans who watched couldn’t help but comment on how refreshingly normal and poised she seemed despite her famous lineage.
One viewer wrote, “Lovely to see that Kai is so normal and level-headed, especially considering the pressure of being from such a famous family.”
Another added, “Such a joy to see a normal teen girl! Genuine, polite, able to express herself without drama. She can actually have a conversation!”
Kai herself credits growing up in the spotlight for helping her stay grounded.
“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 politics in her future?
Despite her last name, Kai has always preferred to keep a low profile.
“For those who don’t know me well, I can live a pretty anonymous life. You wouldn’t even guess I’m part of the Trump family, and that’s how I like it,” she explained.
But everything shifted after her speech at the Republican National Convention.
Suddenly, her phone was blowing up, and she was in the headlines — especially after her grandpa won the election.
They still get together often, judging by the candid moments shared on Kai’s Instagram.
Still, when asked if politics might be on her radar, Kai was clear: it’s not her focus—at least not yet.
“I’m all about golf right now. My goal is to go pro,” she told Grant Horvat.
A bond you can see
Look closely at photos of Kai and Donald Trump, and the closeness between them is unmistakable.
It’s only when you really pay attention that you notice how special their relationship is — something that speaks volumes without needing words.
Whether it’s a warm smile, a shared joke, or simply being fully present with each other, these moments reveal a genuine and unbreakable bond between Kai and her grandpa. Take a look at this photo below — a perfect snapshot of their undeniable closeness!
Whether she’s swinging clubs alongside her famous grandfather or standing confidently on a national stage, Kai remains grounded, humble, and fiercely determined to stay true to herself.
As she sets her sights on the future with the University of Miami’s women’s golf team, one thing is clear: Kai’s story is only just beginning. And something tells me we’re going to be hearing a lot more about this talented young woman in the years to come…