Kai Trump, the 19-year-old granddaughter of President Donald Trump, walked the red carpet at the ESPYS this week—and promptly walked into a firestorm. Her simple statement that she prefers to stay out of politics has sparked a fierce online backlash, with many calling her out for what they see as a glaring display of privilege.
The University of Miami-bound golfer told Sportico on Wednesday night, “Honestly, I kind of stay out of politics completely. It’s just not my thing.” But for a young woman whose last name alone has earned her millions of followers and a platform, that line landed poorly with a sizable chunk of the audience.
Critics argue that Kai Trump benefits directly from her grandfather’s political career—from social media fame to the spotlight at events like the ESPYS—and then tries to distance herself from the very system that lifted her. “Truly the privilege of an elite who is constantly seen with and directly benefits from her familial ties to president to say she stays away from politics lollll,” one fan wrote on social media.
Another commenter was blunter: “She want to stay out of politics but benefits from it what a fraud.”
The backlash isn’t just aimed at Kai Trump. The ESPYS themselves have taken heat for inviting her, especially after other controversies at the awards show, including a joke about Tiger Woods that fell flat and the Savannah Bananas' opener that stirred up fan fury. The event, meant to celebrate sports, is now a flashpoint for political debate.
But not everyone is piling on. Some fans have come to Kai Trump’s defense, pointing out the double bind she’s in. “If she backed Trump and went full right wing politics, you’d all flip. You would cry, pout, and be furious about what she’s doing. But now she says she wants nothing to do with that life, and you’re still mad. Almost like you’ll hate her NO MATTER WHAT bc of her last name,” one supporter wrote.
That argument resonates with those who see the criticism as less about her actual words and more about her identity. Still, the contrast between her family’s political prominence and her own desire to remain neutral is hard to ignore. As one fan put it, “Maybe she should articulate more? Or what am I listening to?”
Kai Trump, who is set to play collegiate golf at the University of Miami this fall, has largely focused on her athletic career and inspiring young female golfers. Her social media presence leans heavily on golf and lifestyle content, not policy debates. Yet the ESPYS moment has thrust her into a conversation she says she wants no part of.
The question now is whether she can maintain that distance once she arrives on campus. College sports are increasingly intertwined with politics, from FIFA backing Trump's World Cup role to debates over athlete activism. For a player with her last name, staying out of politics may be easier said than done.
