The teenager’s speech in front of thousands of delegates uniquely focused on her personal relationship with former President Donald J. Trump.
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Kai Trump joined her father, Donald Trump Jr., onstage during the third day of the Republican National Convention.
Kai Madison Trump, 17, made an appearance on the third night of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee after being introduced by her father, Donald Trump Jr.
Kai is the daughter of Mr. Trump and his former wife, Vanessa Trump, a model whom he divorced in 2018. Born in May 2007, Kai is the eldest of their five children. Her younger siblings are Donald John, Tristan Milos, Spencer Frederick and Chloe Sophia. Vanessa named Kai after her grandfather Kai Ewans, a Danish-American jazz musician.
“I am honored to be speaking at the R.N.C.,” Kai said in a post on social media.
Her speech in front of thousands of delegates uniquely focused on her personal relationship with former President Donald J. Trump, her grandfather. Unlike the many speeches that portrayed Mr. Trump as a fighter and a hero of the conservative cause, Kai instead characterized him as a sweet and supportive grandparent.
“To me, he’s just a normal grandpa,” Kai said. “He gives us candy and soda when our parents are not looking. He always wants to know how we’re doing in school.”
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transcript
My name is Kai Madison Trump. I am the granddaughter of Donald Trump. I’m speaking today to share the side of my grandpa that people don’t often see. To me, he’s just a normal grandpa. He gives us candy and soda when our parents aren’t looking. He always wants to know how we’re doing in school. 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. And he will fight every single day to make America great again. Thank you very much.
Kai has occasionally made public appearances alongside her family. In her speech in front of the main session of the convention on Wednesday night, she spoke about having taken up golf, a hobby she shares with her grandfather.
Two years ago, she won a women’s club golf championship held at Mr. Trump’s golf resort in West Palm Beach, Fla.
She was spotted at an Ultimate Fighting Championship match last month and posed for photos with Dana White, U.F.C.’s chief executive, who is a Trump ally. She also attended a conference hosted by the youth-focused conservative group Turning Point Action alongside the former president in Detroit in June.
On social media, her posts are scarcely political, though she often posts photos with her grandfather. After his attempted assassination on Saturday, she said in a post: “We love you Grandpa. Never stop fighting!”
Simon J. Levien is a Times political reporter covering the 2024 elections and a member of the 2024-25 Times Fellowship class, a program for journalists early in their careers. More about Simon J. Levien
See more on: Donald Trump, 2024 Elections
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Source: nytimes.com
