Kai Trump, 19, made a rare public statement regarding politics while attending the 2026 ESPY Awards at Lincoln Center in New York City. The University of Miami freshman, who is a budding golfer, also appeared to pay tribute to her new stepmother, Bettina Trump, through her fashion choice.
During red carpet interviews, including one with Sportico, Trump admitted that politics is not her primary interest. When asked about her presence at a recent UFC event held at the White House for President Donald Trump's 80th birthday and the intersection of sports and politics, she responded, "Honestly, I kind of stay out of politics completely, it's not my thing, but I think the UFC event was great and it was really cool being there." She added that the presence of veterans at the event offered a unique perspective.
Trump stated her main focus is on inspiring young female golfers and showcasing her own journey through college athletics. "I just like showing my life and showing how you can still be an athlete, and you can still do a ton of cool things, enjoy a ton of other things," she said. "I kind of like just showing people that everything's possible." She also expressed a desire to share her progress with the next generation. "I love showing the new generation my progress through college, eventually, and how I got to where I am today."
Kai Trump has been seen more frequently with her grandfather, President Trump, in recent months. Earlier in the summer, she traveled with her aunts, Tiffany and Ivanka Trump, to the Bahamas for her father, Donald Trump Jr.'s, wedding to Bettina.
For the ESPY Awards, Trump wore a custom shimmering gold gown by Alice + Olivia, a designer whose founder, Stacey Bendet, is a friend of Bettina Trump. Bendet attended Bettina's wedding and bridal shower. The dress featured a thigh slit and was adorned with silver beading on the straps and bodice. Trump accessorized with expensive jewelry from RW Fine, including an 18k yellow gold tennis necklace valued at $310,000 and diamond earrings totaling over $50,000.
In a January appearance on Logan Paul's Impaulsive podcast, Trump discussed her views on politics and social media. She stated she would not pursue a political career, describing politics as "such a dangerous thing." She expressed a belief that greater happiness could be achieved if both political sides found common ground. Trump also noted the polarizing nature of social media, suggesting it often pushes users toward extreme viewpoints and can negatively influence perceptions.
Earlier this year, Trump was also seen wearing Alice + Olivia designs at the UFC Freedom 250 event, including a beaded mini-dress and casual wear. Her social media presence often includes vlogs documenting her life, which frequently feature visits to the White House.