Who is Kai Trump? Donald Trump's eldest granddaughter gives heartfelt RNC speech on Day 3 of convention
Donald Trump's children are among the former president's biggest advocates and supporters.
On Wednesday night at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee it was the next generation's turn.
Donald Trump's granddaughter, Kai Madison Trump, had the honors of vouching for him in a huge moment for the teenager during Day 3 of the RNC in Milwaukee.
Her message to the American public? To share "the side of my grandpa that people don't often see."
It was Kai's first time in a major political setting and her speech left Donald Trump smiling throughout it.
Donald Trump Jr. introduced his daughter to the audience after telling the crowd inside Fiserv Forum that Kai approached him earlier in the week saying that she wanted to speak at the convention.
Who is Kai Trump? Here's more on Donald Trump's granddaughter.
Who is Kai Trump?
Kai Madison Trump is the oldest daughter of Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Trump (formerly Pergolizzi) and the eldest of 10 grandchildren to Donald Trump.
Kai has four siblings, Donald John III, Tristan Milos, Spencer Frederick and Chloe Sophia. Kai is named after her great-grandfather on her mom's side.
Kai Trump mostly stays away from politics on her social media. Instead, golf is her focus online.
But that may change after Wednesday night.
And in June she showed her support for her grandfather politically when she attended and posted about her appearance at a Turning Point USA event in Detroit with Donald Trump and her dad.
Who is Kai Trump's mom?
Kai Trump's mom is Vanessa Kay Trump.
Vanessa, 46, is a former model. She beaming with pride inside Fiserv Forum as she sat with her other children she shares with Donald Trump Jr.
Vanessa and Trump Jr. divorced in 2018 after 13 years of marriage.
How old is Kai Trump?
Kai Trump is 17 years old.
Kai Trump's speech at the 2024 RNC
Kai took the stage around 9:10 p.m. Central time and discussed her relationship with her "normal grandpa."
This is amazing ‼️ Trump’s Granddaughter Kai Trump gives her first ever speech at the RNC
What a special moment 🇺🇸🙏🏼🥺 pic.twitter.com/QK8SNPNbHw— TONY™ (@TONYxTWO) July 18, 2024
Kai noted how she views Trump, 78, like any other grandpa.
"To me he’s just a normal grandpa," she said. "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."
Later in the speech, she told him, "Grandpa you are such an inspiration and I love you."
She ended with Trump's go-to slogan.
"He truly wants the best for this country and he will fight every single day to make America great again," Kai said to cheers.
After her 3-minute, 30-second speech, Kai gave her father a hug as he took the stage for his turn. Kai then took a seat with her family in the stands.
Kai Trump and Donald Trump share love of golf
Like her grandfather, Kai is an avid golfer. Her Instagram account is filled with videos and photos of her golfing. Donald Trump is in several of the photos.
Earlier this year, two-time U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau and three-time reigning World Long Drive Champion Kyle Berkshire joined her and Donald Trump for a round.
DeChambeau complimented her swing, calling it "pure."
In March she won the ladies club championship at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
"Very proud of my game and where it’s heading but there is always room for improvement. I would like to thank my parents, family and the amazing team at Trump Golf," she wrote on Instagram, while posing with Donald Trump and a trophy.
Kai brought up their shared passion for golf during her speech Wednesday night.
"He calls me during the middle of the school day to ask how my golf game is going and tells me all about his," Kai said. "But then I have to remind him I’m in school and I have to call him back later."
They often play together.
She joked that if they aren't on the same team Donald Trump "tries to get in my head."
"He’s always surprised that I don’t let him get to me," Kai said. "But I have to remind him I’m a Trump, too."
That comment got a smile out of Trump, who was in attendance for a third straight night at the RNC.
Donald Trump was known for hitting the links often at his private clubs during his first presidency from 2016-20.
Kai Trump addresses Donald Trump's court cases
Donald Trump has spent a lot of time in courtrooms over the last year after being charged in four cases. Kai referenced that in her speech.
"Even when he's going through all these court cases he always asks me how I'm doing," she said. "He always encourages me to push myself to be the most successful person I can be. Obviously, he sets the bar pretty high, but who knows maybe one day I'll catch him."
Donald Trump was convicted by a Manhattan, New York, jury of 34 felony counts in May for falsifying business records tied to a hush money payment before the 2016 presidential election. He is the first former president to beconvicted of felony crimes. Trump is also facing charges in Georgia related to election interference and federal election interference related to trying to overturn the 2020 election.
Trump's classified documents case, meanwhile, was dismissed on Monday, a victory for the former president.
Kai Trump speech: Donald Trump's granddaughter says she was heartbroken about the attempted assassination
Kai posted on her Instagram account the iconic image of Donald Trump raising his fists after he was wounded in an attempted assassination last week in Butler, Pennsylvania.
She wrote in her caption: "We love you Grandpa. Never stop fighting!"
"A lot of people put my grandpa through hell and he's still standing."
Kai Trump, granddaughter of Donald Trump, speaks about Saturday's assassination attempt.https://t.co/eYpKRFhjUP pic.twitter.com/ADEEQDHJe4— ABC News (@ABC) July 18, 2024
At the RNC, Kai addressed the assassination attempt.
"On Saturday I was shocked when I heard he was shot," Kai said. "It was heartbreaking that someone would do that to another person."
Kai added: "A lot of people put my grandpa through hell and he's still standing."
Kai Trump at the RNC
Kai posed with her mom and dad at the RNC inside Fiserv Forum on Wednesday ahead of the speeches. She posted a photo on her Instagram story with Donald Trump Jr. on the stage practicing ahead of her big night.
RNC speakers tonight
Kai Trump's father, Donald Trump Jr., took the stage after Kai for one of the final speeches of the night.
Donald Trump Jr.'s fiancée Kimberly Guilfoyle spoke earlier Wednesday.
Kai's uncle, Eric, will speak on Thursday.
SPEAKERS TONIGHT: When is JD Vance speaking at the RNC?
When will Trump speak at the RNC?
The Republican nominee will close the convention when he gives his acceptance speech on Thursday night.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Who is Kai Trump, the granddaughter of Donald Trump speaking at RNC?