Donald Trump’s granddaughter soared to fame after stealing the spotlight at the RNC in July to become the stand-out star of the Trump dynasty.
But behind the scenes, she is still a schoolgirl, sharing her mall outings with friends, homecoming prep and passion for golf with nearly 600,000 followers on Instagram – and hundreds of thousands more on her new YouTube channel.
Kai, still only 17, has taken her first steps into the world of sport influencing in recent weeks as she pursues a professional career – boasting a 0.2 handicap versus Trump’s reported 2.8 – and begins to carve out space for herself as a force in her own right.
As she documents her life as a normal 17-year-old American, getting brunch and going to the gym, she is also acclimatizing to attending major political events, speaking on stage and spending time with Trump ally Elon Musk, who she recently said was ‘achieving uncle status’.
Kai appears at Donald Trump ‘s election night party at Mar-a-Lago, sporting a fancy Rolex watch and a surprisingly affordable sequin mini dress from Nordstrom
Kai documents her journey towards golfing stardom on social media, reaching millions
Kai Madison Trump walks across the stage at the RNC on July 17
The oldest child of Don Jr. and his ex-wife Vanessa (left) addressed thousands of GOP delegates and fans on the third night of the event at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Kai Trump quickly amassed a following of some 567k people after taking to the stage at the RNC on July 17 in the wake of Trump’s assassination attempt.
While she continues to make golf-related content, her channels through the election shared rare insight into intimate moments on the couches of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home during the intense build-up to the results.
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She returned to the stage last Wednesday for Trump’s victory speech, joining her father, Donald Trump Jr, and the extended family in a moment of celebration.
‘No one works harder or cares more about the American people. Congratulations Grandpa, I love you!’ she wrote after Trump earned big wins in both Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Since then, Kai has been pictured out with X owner and Trump ally Elon Musk on the green, writing that he was ‘achieving uncle status’.
But for the part, Kai reveals she lives a fairly ordinary life.
The teenager, who is in her junior year at the Benjamin School, made her YouTube debut with a diary-style video on YouTube two weeks ago.
Over 12 minutes, she documented her journey from a Starbucks to the gym, before buying groceries and making food at home.
One user remarked: ‘You would never know what family she’s from! She’s so regular! She goes to the gym, wears ppp hoodies, gets coffee with her friends and goes to the mall.
‘I love seeing this side of her and her family! It’s not often that we see anything but the picture of perfection from anyone remotely close to politics. Keep it up Kai!’
Kai later took a Tesla Cybertruck to a golf course where she practiced her skills and trick shots – even leaving in the cuts where she made mistakes.
The confident teenager carried on to the mall with ‘their best friend’ to pick out outfits and tech before talking food and hair in the car.
The video ended with Kai getting ready for homecoming before shooting hoops in the garden and thanking viewers for their time.
The rare glimpse into the life of the Trumps was viewed 1.4 million times in the first two weeks.
Users praised Kai on her manners, commending Don. Jr and his ex-wife for their rearing.
In the weeks since, Kai has amassed a considerable following centering around golfing, a passion she shares with her grandfather.
She’s good at it, too; in March, Kai won the ladies’ club championship at Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach.
Her impressive swing, nearly 260-year drive and dedication to the sport helped earn her the Varsity Captain position at her school.
Her longest drive is said to be 275 yards. Only 14 players on the LPGA averaged longer in 2023.
She is, now, reportedly being recruited to play at the collegiate level and says her goal is ultimately to go pro.
‘Golf has always been a massive part of my life and is my biggest passion,’ she wrote on her website, which features a video highlight reel of her on-course play.
Kai posts photos of herself golfing with grandfather Donald Trump, Elon Musk and his son
Kai spoke about her grandfather at the Republican National Convention earlier this year
‘I haven’t seen my grandpa in a while because he’s been campaigning,’ she told the camera as she drove to his massive Florida estate to bring in the election results
Kai documents herself during the election night celebrations at Mar a Lago
Kai Trump revealed that she was moved to ‘tears’ over her ‘hard-working’ grandfather Donald Trump ‘s win – as she shared a behind-the-scenes look at their Mar-a-Lago election party
Donald Trump kisses his granddaughter at the RNC after being shot in the ear
Kai is the daughter of Don. Jr and his ex-wife, Vanessa
The teenager made her first major foray into the public sphere at the RNC in July
Kai Madison Trump speaks during the Republican National Convention on July 17
Kai credits her grandfather for his support in helping her to pursue her sporting goals.
Announcing her commitment to playing at the University of Miami after leaving school earlier this year, she said: ‘I would like to thank my Grandpa for giving me access to great courses and tremendous support.
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‘I would also like to thank my entire family for always encouraging and pushing me to be the best person I can possibly be. I would like to thank my friends for always cheering me on,’ she continued.
‘Last but not least I would love to thank Coach Janice and Coach Jim for giving me this opportunity. I am supper excited to be a cane and represent the University of Miami. Gooo Canes!’
Kai has already met Tiger Woods and his fellow major winners Dustin Johnson and Patrick Reed.
And she has played with big-hitting Bryson DeChambeau, Swedish professional Daniela Holmqvist, two-time world long drive champion Kyle Berkshire and other promising youngsters.
Kai kept out of politics until July, but stood by her grandfather’s side through the course of the election.
In response to the July 13 Pennsylvania shooting, she broke from her usual content, sharing an image of her wounded grandfather with the caption, ‘We love you Grandpa. Never stop fighting!’
She reportedly asked her grandfather if she could speak at the Republican National Convention soon after.
Kai’s parents walked her through proceedings ahead of her speech, her first major foray into the public sphere.
She used the opportunity to praise her grandfather and talk of him as a ‘normal grandpa’.
‘A lot of people have put my grandpa through hell, and he’s still standing,’ she told thousands of cheering GOP delegates.
‘Grandpa, you are such an inspiration and I love you.’
‘To me, he’s just a normal grandpa,’ Kai went on.
‘He gives us candy and soda when our parents are not looking. He always wants to know how we’re doing in school.
‘When I made the high honor roll, he printed it out to his friends how proud he was of me.’
Her Instagram following grew by 60,000 after the event, up to 185,000. Today, it sits at 571,000.
Kai (seen with her family on election night) – the 17-year-old daughter of Don Jr . and his ex-wife Vanessa – shared an inside glimpse into her family’s election night festivities
Kai shared a photo of herself on the golf course with her grandfather, as a child
Kai, with her father (left) goes through a walkthrough ahead of her speech at the RNC
Kai has shot to fame, sharing golfing content as she prepares to go pro
Last week, Kai revealed she was ‘moved to ‘tears’ over her ‘hard working’ grandfather as she shared a behind-the-scenes look at their election party at Mar-a-Lago.
Kai shared her journey from getting ready to driving over to Mar-a-Lago to join the rest of Donald’s immediately family and close friends.
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‘I haven’t seen my grandpa in a while because he’s been campaigning,’ she told the camera as she drove to his massive Florida estate.
‘Obviously with the last few days it’s been really hard to see him because he’s been traveling.
‘I’m super excited to see him again. He’s been calling me almost every other day. I’m ready to party it up tonight and hopefully we [win], fingers crossed.’
Kai confessed that she was ‘very nervous’ but added that she felt hopeful her grandfather would ‘bring it home.’
‘I think he’s going to do amazing for this country. He works so hard and I don’t know anyone who is more hardworking and driven than him,’ she gushed.
Kai joined the extended family on couches as they watched the results roll in.
Don Jr., Eric Trump, and Barron Trump and daughters Tiffany Trump and Ivanka Trump were joined by Ivanka’s husband, Jared Kushner, and billionaire Tesla founder Elon Musk, amongst others.
Unfortunately, the teenager explained that she ‘didn’t get to film’ the end of the night because she was busy ‘celebrating,’ but spoke out about what went down.
‘It was just a really special moment for all of us. I’m extremely proud of him, I think he deserves it more than anyone in the whole world.
‘He really has worked his butt off every single day for the past eight years for this country.’
‘The election night was really special for our whole family because we fought to the very end,’ she added. ‘He really deserves it after what everyone has put him through.
Kai called her grandfather ‘such an incredible and unique person’ who ‘fights every single day for America.’
Kai has quickly amassed hundreds of thousands of followers online with her golf content
Kai credited her grandfather with her success in golf and thanked him for his support
Kai Trump shared a photo with her grandfather earlier this week
Donald Trump, with son Eric Trump (R) and granddaughter Kai Trump, at his Trump Turnberry Resort in Scotland on June 24, 2016
Kai is the eldest of three children. Sister Chloe Sophia, 3, and brother Donald John Trump III, 15, were pictured with her at the election party in West Palm Beach.
Trump, overall, has five children and 10 grand children, with another on the way.
Daughter Tiffany is expecting her first child with husband Michael, while Don Jr has five children from his first marriage to first wife Vanessa.
But at the RNC in July, it was Kai who sparked speculation she could take the Trump political dynasty into a third generation.
‘He always encourages me to be the most successful person I can be,’ Kai said of her grandfather.
‘Obviously he sets the bar pretty high. But who knows, maybe one day I’ll catch him.’