Kai Madison Trump is the eldest grandchild of Donald Trump and oldest of 5 kids. Her parents are Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Trump.
When she was 17 years old, Kai Trump made her debut on the political stage − literally.
The Jupiter, Florida, teenager took the stage at the Republican National Convention and called Donald Trump a “normal grandpa,” highlighting his softer side during the 2024 presidential election.
Her speech marked her foray into the world of TV.
Since then, the eldest of President Donald Trump’s 11 grandchildren has achieved her self-professed dream of becoming a social media influencer with almost 1.5 million subscribers on her YouTube channel and 2.7 million Instagram followers as of March 2026.
Her videos range from #GRWM (get ready with me) to interviews with golf pros and famous family members, like #KaiMom or Vanessa Trump, who’s currently dating one of Kai Trump’s favorite golfers, Tiger Woods.
Sometimes, her videos go viral − and not in a kind way.
On March 8, the 18-year-old Kai Trump posted a YouTube video about her shopping trip at Erewhon Market in Santa Monica, California. Like previous vlogs, she reviews anything from items and food products to Orlando theme park visits. She called Erewhon the “most expensive grocery store” and mentioned the $21 “Hailey Bieber” smoothie and $13 Medjool dates.
By the next day, the first granddaughter’s high-end shopping spree video met complaints and jeers, particularly on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter. Her promo tweet about the Erewhon video had 18 million views and almost 3,000 comments as of March 11.
Below are things to know about the high school senior, her famous family and plans for the future.
Who is Kai Trump? Photos of Donald Trump’s granddaughter
Kai Madison Trump is the 18-year-old daughter of Donald Trump Jr. and former model Vanessa Trump, formerly Vanessa Kay Pergolizzi or Vanessa Haydon (after she took her stepfather’s last name). She is the oldest of President Donald Trump’s 11 grandchildren and the oldest child of Donald Trump Jr.’s five children including Donald Trump III, Tristan Trump, Spencer Trump and Chloe Trump.
In the past year and a half, Kai Trump has made several public appearances since her speech at the Republican National Convention in July 2024 ahead of the presidential election. This is unlike her 19-year-old uncle, Barron Trump, the youngest of Donald Trump’s children, who has made few public appearances since his father’s election and inauguration.
Though fall 2025 marked the start of Kai Trump’s senior year in high school, she already has plans for college − and beyond. She said she would stay in South Florida for college, announcing in summer 2024 that she had committed to play golf at the University of Miami starting fall 2026.
She has lived in South Florida for about five years, playing golf at the same private school attended by the children of golf legend Tiger Woods, whom her mother is dating.
Kai Trump on YouTube: Donald Trump’s granddaughter talks about golf, Tiger Woods, mom Vanessa and Barron Trump
Though she has a famous family and extraordinary perks − she has been a passenger on the presidential helicopter Marine One and Air Force One with her grandpa Donald Trump − Kai Trump vlogs about high school senior life, getting her wisdom teeth out and teendom.
On Sept. 25, 2025, “Kai Trump” became a brand, too: The president’s eldest grandchild unveiled a clothing line, KT or Kai Trump, and the backdrop for the YouTube vlogger and social media influencer was a familiar scene − the White House.
The class of 2026 high school senior at The Benjamin School in Palm Beach County, Florida, appeared on “My View with Lara Trump” on Nov. 29, 2025, on Fox News Channel. In a conversation with Lara Trump, who’s married to her uncle Eric Trump, Kai Trump talked about committing to play golf at the University of Miami in Florida, her famous family and what it was like to play in the LPGA by special invitation.
Watch Kai Trump video at Erewhon Market in California with Secret Service
Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.