Kai Trump’s recent golf course interview with her grandfather, President Donald Trump, has garnered significant attention online, offering a rare, unfiltered look at the personal side of the president.
Newsweek reached out to Kai Trump and President Trump’s representatives via email for comment on Monday.
Why It Matters
With millions of followers across her social channels, Kai Trump’s lighthearted yet probing questions delivered insights into President Trump’s ambitions, family dynamics and experience as a public figure—adding dimension to his public persona at a time of renewed scrutiny and political focus.
What To Know
The viral moment came during a golf outing at the Trump National Golf Club Washington D.C. in Virginia, where Kai Trump, the daughter of Donald Trump Jr. and granddaughter to President Trump, launched her YouTube series “1 on 1 with Kai” with a special episode featuring her grandfather. The 18-year-old, who is a University of Miami golf commit, filmed the session as the pair played best ball and conversed about life, politics and sports.
“I had an amazing time filming with my Grandpa to kick off my new series called 1 on 1 with Kai,” she wrote on social media. “In the video, everyone gets to see the bond we have, especially on the golf course. This is my favorite video I have filmed so far and holds a lot of meaning to me. I hope you enjoy this very special video. Out now on YouTube!”
At the time of publication, her post racked up more than 2.7 million views on X with 81,000 likes. On Instagram, while the view count is unknown, 475,000 people clicked the like button.
The YouTube video itself currently has over 1.6 million views.
During their relaxed conversation, Kai asked President Trump, per the New York Post: “Is there a dream that you’re still trying to chase? Or have you reached all your dreams?” In response, the 79-year-old said, “You’re asking questions like you’re a television company. I thought I was just going to come out and play a round of golf with you … You’re asking questions like I’m on television,” before noting that becoming president had been his dream, and his current goal was to be a “great” president—a sentiment Kai endorsed, stating: “I think you’re doing a pretty great job.”
The video also captured candid moments as President Trump spoke about national security, noting the visible presence of Secret Service during their game and referencing past security incidents, including an assassination attempt in July 2024. According to the Daily Mail, he remarked to Kai: “I had too many close calls, that’s true honey.” President Trump also commented on stopping several wars since his return to office and expressed hopes to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
What People Are Saying
In the comments underneath Kai Trump’s YouTube video, many praised her for showing a different side to the president.
@DecoyVoice wrote in a note with 7,500 likes: “it’s so cool to see the president as just ‘grandpa’ here.”
@inspiring87 said in a message with 3,500 likes: “Kai has done something rarely seen in human history, taking a historical figure and sharing a version of him that otherwise would be impossible to see or experience—she also seems beyond her years aware of the significance of what she is doing here—just amazing.”
@photojournalists added in a reply with 2,800 likes: “Nobody has ever humanized a world leader like Kai has. From the convention speech to hanging out with the grandpa in the golf course. There’s some about their mutual admiration or chemistry that works like magic.”
@MartinaMarušić posted in a line with 2,300 likes: “Trump’s respect for her, as well as their friendship, is quite humanizing.”
@Quantum-Quote shared in a comment with 1,200 likes: “She’s so humble, kind and full of gratitude. Her thanking Grandpa for the opportunity to play nice courses was nice. What a breath of fresh air.”
What Happens Next
New episodes of 1 on 1 with Kai have not yet been announced.
