(NewsNation) — Kai Trump joined “Katie Pavlich Tonight” to discuss her merchandise drop benefiting breast cancer foundations after her mother Vanessa Trump’s diagnosis, her first weeks at the University of Miami and playing golf with her grandfather, President Donald Trump.
Turning a family challenge into a cause
Trump recently launched a new line of clothing benefiting breast cancer foundations, a cause that hit close to home for Trump when her mother, Vanessa Trump, was diagnosed with the disease in May.
Trump told Katie Pavlich that her mother was doing much better.
“She went through treatment, got surgery, but she’s doing better,” Trump said. “It’s been a little bit of a rocky road, but she’s feeling better now, and hopefully she just continues getting better.”
The experience with her mother’s illness sparked a philanthropic idea in the 19-year-old.
“I wanted to give back to families that also have been going through the same thing with their family members,” she told Pavlich. “So I’m gonna be donating to a lot of breast cancer foundations just to give back to families because I know what it is like to go through it.”
BELLEAIR, FL – NOVEMBER 13: University of Miami commit Kai Trump plays her tee shot on the second hole during The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican on November 13, 2025, at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Starting college and chasing golf goals
Trump, who recently started her freshman year at the University of Miami, described her experience on campus as “amazing,” expressing her excitement at playing golf with the university’s team.
“I love the golf team,” Trump said. “I actually just came back from practice.”
Playing golf, a generally individual sport, as part of a team provides Trump with a new way to compete. The teen said the experience has helped her up her game.
“The great thing about being on a team now is that I can also learn from them,” she said. “Obviously there are areas in my golf game that aren’t great, or I can always work on and improve.”
Trump told Pavlich she was enjoying observing her teammates’ strategies and embracing the camaraderie.
“We learn from each other,” she said. “They have your back at the end of the day, so it’s actually kind of nice to have a team.”
Kai Trump and her grandfather US President Donald Trump stand during the National Anthem as they attend Game Three of the NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York on June 8, 2026. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images)
Lessons from ‘Grandpa Trump’
Kai, who regularly plays golf with her grandfather, the president, wouldn’t say whether either of them regularly wins on the links. However, she reiterated that President Trump is “really, really good.”
Trump said playful mind games are a regular part of the friendly golf games between them.
“He tries to get into my head when we’re playing with each other, even if we’re on the same team,” Trump said, adding that the mind games result in a lesson in focus.
Even when your grandfather is the Commander in Chief, however, Trump reiterated that, to her, Donald Trump is just “grandpa.”
“He’s just like a normal grandpa,” she said. “Sitting down at dinner with him, we just talk like normal people. Like if you spoke to your grandpa or a family member, it’s very normal.”
Although Kai did say she “allows” the president one indulgence.
“He drives the golf cart,” she said. “I let him do that.”
Kai Trump at The 2026 ESPYS held at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Square on July 15, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)
Quick takes from the fairway
Pavlich went through a rapid-fire round of questions with Trump, getting her “one-or-another” take on several topics:
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When asked to choose between Bedminster or Mar-a-Lago, Trump chose her grandfather’s Palm Beach club.
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Between fast food giants McDonald’s and Burger King, Kai was “lovin’ it,” opting for McDonald’s.
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Choosing between a Trump Tower taco bowl and Taco Bell, she opted for the bowl.
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When asked whether she thought aliens were real, she said she didn’t know but tended not to.
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Between the NBA and the UFC, Trump chose the UFC.
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And between the new and the old Air Force One, Kai opted for the legacy version.
A portion of the proceeds from Kai Trump’s August merchandise drop will be donated to breast cancer awareness organizations in honor of Vanessa Trump. The merchandise is available on Kai Trump’s website,
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