The 17-year-old granddaughter of former President Donald Trump made her political debut during a speech at the Republican National Convention (RNC) on Wednesday evening.
Kai Trump, who is the daughter of Donald Trump Jr. and ex-wife Vanessa Trump, told the audience about her grandfather. “To me, he’s just a normal grandpa,” adding that he “gives us candy and soda when our parents aren’t looking. He always wants to know how we’re 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 said.
The younger Trump made reference to arguments the former president and her father have made about the media and its coverage of him. “The media makes my grandpa seem like a different person, but I know him for who he is. He’s very caring and loving, he truly wants the best for this country,” Kai told the audience.
As with her grandfather, Kai is an avid golfer and often makes posts about the sport. On her Instagram page, she posted a photo showing she won the Ladies Club Championship at the Trump International Golf Club in Florida.
During her speech, the younger Trump said the former president talks to her about golf on a regular basis. “He calls me during the middle of the school day to how my golf game is going, and tells me all about his,“ she said. ”But then I had to remind him that I’m in school and I have to call him back later.”
Later on, she spoke about her feelings after she learned that a bullet pierced her grandfather’s ear during an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania over the weekend.
“On Saturday, I was shocked when I heard that he had been shot, and I just wanted to know if he was okay,” Kai said. “It was heartbreaking that someone would do that to another person. A lot of people have put my grandpa through hell, and he’s still standing.”
She took the stage after being introduced by Donald Jr., who said, “For the first time ever on the stage, first time ever giving a speech, I want to bring out my eldest daughter and the eldest granddaughter of your favorite president, Kai Madison Trump.”
Mr. Trump added that Kai called him on Monday morning and said she wanted to speak at the RNC, which wraps up on Thursday.
Kai spoke right before Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), who was named as the former president’s running mate earlier this week.
Many members of the Trump family have entered politics to some degree. The oldest two Trump sons, Eric and Donald Jr., are often spotted on the campaign trail for their father and make politically related posts on social media. Lara Trump, the wife of Eric, is co-chair of the Republican National Committee.
Their sister, Ivanka Trump, had served as an adviser to her father in the White House along with her husband, Jared Kushner. Neither Ivanka nor Mr. Kushner are involved in the 2024 campaign.
Meanwhile, the former president’s youngest son, Barron, 18, appeared at a campaign rally for his father earlier in July. During that event, former President Trump pointed to the younger Trump, who was sitting in the audience. He stood up and waved his hand.
Former President Trump has 10 grandchildren. Kai is the oldest.
The former president is scheduled to deliver a speech on Thursday evening after he accepts the Republican Party’s nomination for president for the November general election. In a social media post after the assassination attempt, former President Trump said he changed his speech and will focus on a more unifying message.
