Kai Trump, President Donald Trump’s eldest granddaughter, cried while describing the transition in a YouTube vlog that followed her move from Jupiter, Florida, to Miami and the uneven first days of her new life as a student-athlete playing Division I golf.
Leaving home for college can make an exciting milestone feel unexpectedly painful. The first dorm or apartment, new classes and unfamiliar routines arrive alongside difficult goodbyes to the people who made home feel secure. That mix of anticipation and sadness hit for the incoming University of Miami athlete before her freshman year began.
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Trump shares feelings before starting college at Miami
Tiger Woods of Jupiter Links GC shares a laugh with Kai Trump before match against Los Angeles Golf Club before the TGL finals.
The 19-year-old recorded herself crying behind the wheel as she prepared to leave her family and friends. Trump said she had been “literally sobbing” and acknowledged, “I’m struggling right now,” even as she expressed excitement about the next chapter.
Trump did not record the farewells, saying she wanted to remain present. Her new apartment is about 90 minutes from Jupiter, so the move kept her near home but still brought a difficult separation.
Her mother, Vanessa Trump, helped prepare the apartment by cleaning, waiting for deliveries and making several trips between the two cities. The pair also filled four carts during a Target run for kitchen supplies, bathroom items, medicine and other essentials.
Three days before move-in, Kai said she had delayed shopping because it overwhelmed her. Vanessa kept the mood light, joking that her daughter would soon return home and would have to learn to clean the apartment herself.
The adjustment remained difficult after Kai reached Miami. Her friend Emma delivered frozen food after Kai said she had not eaten in three days. Her first Monday included a 7 a.m. golf team meeting as she began balancing classes, practice and life on her own.
Then she contracted strep throat on Wednesday. Kai returned to Jupiter because she felt so ill and said she needed her mother to nurse her back to health. By the vlog’s end, she appeared more comfortable around friends and teammates.
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Joining the Miami women’s golf team as a freshman
Trump enters college with far more public attention than the typical freshman. Born May 12, 2007, she is the oldest of Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Trump’s five children. Her national profile expanded after she spoke about her grandfather at the 2024 Republican National Convention.
Golf remains central to her move to Miami. Trump announced her verbal commitment to the Hurricanes in August 2024 and officially signed in November 2025 as part of a three-player recruiting class with Bella Dovhey and Carlee Rogers.
The Hurricanes list Trump as a freshman from Stuart, Florida. Her school biography notes experience on the Srixon Medalist Tour, American Junior Golf Association and South Florida PGA circuits. She finished second at the 2025 Major Championship at Village Golf Course and helped her high school capture four straight district team championships.
Miami coach Janice Olivencia said Trump would bring “tremendous energy and excitement” to the program. She also praised Trump’s competitive nature, commitment to improving and work ethic.
Trump received a sponsor exemption to make her LPGA Tour debut at The Annika in November 2025. College presents a different challenge as she combines Division I golf with academics and independence.
Her vlog showed that a prominent last name doesn’t alleviate the strain of leaving home. The opening days brought tears, exhaustion and illness, but they also started the college career Trump had anticipated for two years.
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