Kai Trump has broken her silence after a rocky start to her LPGA Tour debut, where she landed in dead last place.

The 18-year-old granddaughter of President Donald Trump was handed a sponsor's exemption to play in The Annika, a $3.2 million LPGA tournament held at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida.

Despite fierce backlash over her inclusion, the amateur golfer faced the spotlight head-on and admitted nerves got the better of her.

“I was definitely more nervous than I expected, but I thought I hit a lot of great shots out there,” she told reporters, per The Telegraph. “I hit a lot of good shots just to the wrong spots. And obviously, being my first LPGA event, now I kind of know how it goes.”

Her score included nine bogeys, two double bogeys, and seven pars. At one point, she was spotted trying to escape a tunnel beneath a grandstand, and at another, she topped a drive, but rebounded with a four-foot par save.

“The whole time I was nervous without a doubt,” she added. “I thought I did pretty good for just first time, being the youngest player in the field. I had a great time out there.”

Kai Trump - the granddaughter of US President Donald Trump - has spoken out. Credit: Icon Sportswire / Getty

Why her invite caused a media firestorm

Kai's sponsor invitation immediately sparked controversy. Ranked No. 461 among junior golfers, she entered one of the LPGA’s most high-profile tournaments with little competitive experience. Her previous biggest event saw her finish 52-over across four rounds.

Critics slammed the decision, claiming more deserving players were snubbed. But the LPGA and Pelican Golf Club stood by the move, pointing to Kai’s massive online presence, more than six million followers on social media, and her potential to draw younger audiences to the game.

“Love it or hate it, it's getting people to talk about the event,” said Pelican’s COO Justin Sheehan.

LPGA Chief Operations Officer Ricki Lasky also defended the pick: “Sponsor invitations are an important way to spotlight emerging talent and bring new attention to our tournaments and the LPGA.

“Kai’s broad following and reach are helping introduce golf to new audiences – especially among younger fans. We’re excited to see her take this next step in her journey."

Despite her lowly ranking, Kai’s group drew the biggest crowds on the course, thanks in part to a heavy Secret Service presence.

She teed off alongside former Women’s Open champion Hinako Shibuno and Germany’s Olivia Cowan, and her every move was watched.

Credit: Douglas P. DeFelice / Getty

From club champ to LPGA invitee

Kai's golfing roots run deep. She’s the daughter of Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Trump, and has won the 2022 and 2024 Ladies’ Club Championships at Trump International in West Palm Beach.

She’s played in PGA Tour Pro-Ams and was even seen at the Ryder Cup last fall, posting blogs that racked up millions of views.

And it doesn’t stop there - her mother is currently dating Tiger Woods. The 15-time major winner gave Kai advice ahead of her LPGA debut.

“He told me to go out there, have fun, go with the flow,” she said. “He is the best golfer in the entire world, but I would say that! And he’s an even better person.”

As for her grandfather, the President wasn’t at the tournament. “He’s running the world right now, so a little busy,” Kai joked, but also gave her words of encouragement: “Grandpa pretty much told me to go out there and have fun. Just don’t get nervous.”

Kai Trump said her granddad, Donald Trump, told her to "have fun". Credit: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Annika Sörenstam, the tournament’s namesake and one of the sport’s most legendary figures, had a simple message: “Give this girl a chance.”

She continued: “To be 18 and hear all the comments, she must be super tough. I’m sure we can all relate what it’s like to get criticism here and there, but she gets it a thousand times.

"So that’s why I just want to give her a break, come out here and have fun. We want her to feel like family here and to feel welcome."

The 18-year-old has committed to Miami University’s golf program and is training full time in hopes of climbing the ranks.

Featured image credit: Douglas P. DeFelice / Getty

Kai Trump, the 18-year-old granddaughter of President Donald Trump, surprised both fans and podcast listeners with her unexpected political stance.

During an appearance on Logan Paul's Impaulsive podcast, the 30-year-old host asked Trump about her thoughts on politics and her grandfather’s 2024 presidential campaign.

The teen, who is the daughter of Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Trump, made it clear that she does not want to be involved in the political scene.

"To be honest with you, I stay out of politics completely," she explained. "I’d never run... I don’t want anything to do with politics because I feel like politics is such a dangerous thing."

Kai Trump has shared her political views. Credit: Icon Sportswire / Getty

She elaborated on the divisive nature of politics in today’s climate, stating that extreme views on both sides are damaging to society.

"There’s radical left, radical right, there’s a lot of people who get too extreme," she said. "I think if both sides had met in the middle everyone would be so much more happier."

Kai added that social media amplifies these extremes by curating content to one side, which she believes contributes to the growing polarization.

"Social media makes your feed either be one way or another," she noted. "There's not a lot of things on social media where you’re very much in the middle. I think that kind of makes some people crazy and some people buy into it too much."

Despite her neutral stance, Kai clarified that her support for her grandfather remains strong. "Obviously, I’m going to support my grandpa, my family member," she added.

Praise for Kai's Thoughtful Approach

Kai’s comments were met with praise from listeners, many of whom appreciated her thoughtful approach.

One social media user remarked: "Kai Trump comes across as thoughtful and mature here, smart move staying neutral on politics at her age."

Another commented: "Kai is very smart staying out of politics. Enjoy your Senior year Kai!" while a third added: "She’s clearly the most intelligent one in the family. She has a bright future ahead."

Kai Trump with her grandfather Donald Trump. Credit: X/White House

Life as a Teenager with Secret Service Protection

While discussing her personal life, Kai opened up about the challenges of living as a teenager under the watchful eye of Secret Service agents.

The golf star and influencer shared that adjusting to the constant presence of federal agents has been difficult.

"It’s tough. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t tough," she admitted. "It was a big adjustment having them come in, and then having to adjust my schedule and just kind of go about my day.

"It’s weird when you’re just like hanging out with your friends, a group of girls, and you have like a tall guy standing like three feet behind you. It’s weird," she added.

Featured image credit: Icon Sportswire / Getty

The eldest grandchild of Donald Trump recently opened up about her love life as she prepares to start college in the fall.

Kai Trump, 18, who is set to start studying at the University of Miami later this year, answered questions from fans, including “Are you single?” in a Q&A session posted on YouTube.

In response, the high school senior answered, “I’m kind of talking to a guy right now, we might go to prom together.

"So yeah, I'm like yes…no…kind of…figuring it out."

The daughter of Donald Trump Jr and his ex-wife Vanessa Trump has become somewhat of a social media personality, boasting 2.6 million followers on Instagram. In a recent appearance on the Impaulsive podcast, Kai opened up about the realities of dating with a secret service team on hand at all times.

What is it like dating with bodyguards?

She confessed: "To be honest with you, it's really awkward when you're sitting and going on a date with a guy, and [the Secret Service are] like two tables behind you. It's a little weird,"

"But I try my best not to let it bother me, and I think I've learned especially over the past year now…I've had to learn to [think] yes, they're following me, but also focus and pretend like they're not there."

Although the teenager has been in the spotlight for most of her life, since her grandfather became president for the second time in 2025, Kai claimed that her parents have tried to keep their children as down-to-earth as possible.

Kai said, "My parents have always had us [have] our own opinions.

"Nothing was ever pushed upon us. I just happen to be a granddaughter of the president."

Aside from studying and making YouTube videos, Kai, like her grandfather, is a keen golfer and is set to join the golfing team at the University of Miami.

What does she do aside studying?

Speaking about her sporting plans, the soon-to-be high school graduate shared on Instagram: "I am super excited to be a Cane and represent the University of Miami. Gooo Canes!

“I would like to thank my mom, Vanessa, and my dad, Don, for always supporting me through my journey. I would also like to thank my great team for getting me to this point.

“I would like to thank my Grandpa for giving me access to great courses and tremendous support."

However, Kai’s golfing career stalled in January when she underwent wrist surgery to treat a sports-related injury.

At the time, she wrote on social media: “Today, I underwent left wrist surgery to address injuries to the stabilizing tissues of my ECU tendon and damage to my fibrocartilage complex.

Luckily, she seems to be recovering well as she added to her post: "The surgery was successfully performed at the Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute by Dr Thomas Graham, Chief of Jefferson Orthopedics.

“I look forward to my rehab in the coming months. I am excited for the ability to play golf pain-free."

Featured image credit: Credit: Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images

A professional lipreader has claimed to know what President Donald Trump told businessman Jim Dolan after being booed at Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday (June 8).

Trump was in attendance at Madison Square Garden (MSG) for the highly anticipated third game of this year's NBA Finals, between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks.

The Knicks managed to win the first two games of the series in Texas and were heavy favorites coming into the game, which was on their home court.

But before the game tipped off, Trump was very audibly booed in his home city by a raucous New York crowd, stealing headlines online.

Now, a forensic lipreader has revealed what Trump said to Dolan, the CEO of Madison Square Garden Sports, after his embarrassing moment on live TV.

Donald Trump found a way to steal the spotlight during the NBA Finals. Credit: Brandon Bell / Getty

Lipreader analyzes Trump's words

Nicola Hickling is a profoundly deaf lip-reading professional who has reviewed footage of Trump after the President appeared on the MSG Jumbotron during the national anthem, resulting in boos from the crowd.

The 79-year-old could be seen smirking from a private box, saluting as fans didn't sound too happy at his presence.

According to the Daily Mail, Hickling said that the President was discussing a mystery person that Dolan had a problem with.

Allegedly, Trump said: “Why wouldn't you accept our friendship, he's loyal,” as Dolan added: “I'm p**sed off at his name.”

“Oh that's not it. Let me bring him next time, you have got it so wrong with him,” the President responded, going on: “I can bring him back to you, with confidence. I'm not just saying that, unless you want to put the feeler out.”

Apparently, this led to Trump admitting that he would attend Game 4, which is set to be held at MSG on June 10.

He apparently said: “If you want me to come to the game on Wednesday, then he's gotta be here,” “You gotta remember, I gotta pull with this. Maybe I could do the trophy, the trophy. This should be gold, don't say no today. I'll bet you a round a golf.”

The President was not the most popular man at MSG on Monday. Credit: Anna Moneymaker / Getty

Trump was "welcome" at MSG

NBA commissioner Adam Silver played down the boos, telling ESPN: “I found out (Trump was attending) because Jim Dolan invited him to the game and he said yes,

“He is welcome to be here."

Silver added: “What I will say about President Trump is that he was a fixture at NBA, Madison Square Garden (in the past). A genuine Knicks fan.

“Yes, some inconvenience to fans but if you look around the arena, it is getting packed. People listened and got here early. We should be using sports to create more of a sense of community.”

But Trump's presence may have been a bad omen, as after two road wins, the Knicks lost their first post-season game since the first round, falling 115-11 to the Spurs.

Following Victor Wembanyama's 32-point effort, the series now stands at 2-1 heading into game 4, where the Spurs have the opportunity to tie it up before heading back to San Antonio for game 5.

The Knicks, who were just one win away from a first NBA title in 53 years, now need to win two games to get their hands on the Larry O'Brien trophy.

If the Spurs are to win on Wednesday, the series will stretch into next week, bringing on a potential game 6 at MSG.

Featured image credit: Jeff Bottari / Getty