Kai Trump gets emotional while leaving home for college and joining Miami’s golf team

Kai Trump faced a demanding first week at the University of Miami, from 7 am team meetings to an illness that sent her home
Kai Trump shared a candid look at her emotional move to college and her first week as a Miami golfer (@kaitrump/YouTube)
Kai Trump shared a candid look at her emotional move to college and her first week as a Miami golfer (@kaitrump/YouTube)

MIAMI, FLORIDA: Kai Trump is getting a firsthand taste of college life, and her first week at the University of Miami was far more emotional than she expected.

The 19-year-old granddaughter of President Donald Trump shared a candid vlog documenting her move from Jupiter, Florida, to Miami, where she is starting her freshman year and joining the university’s women’s golf team.

The video, posted to her YouTube channel, captured her final days at home, her tearful goodbye, the hectic start of her new routine and an unexpected illness that sent her back home.

Kai Trump gets emotional before leaving home

Kai opened up about how difficult it was to leave behind the routine and people she had grown used to at home.

During a drive back after playing a round of golf before her move, she admitted she was struggling with the change.

“I’ve been, like, literally sobbing,” Kai said.

“It’s just, like, really sad that I have to say goodbye to, like, everyone today. I’m not, like, a very emotional person at all, so this is, like, really weird for me to cry.”

She added, “I’m just struggling right now just, like, thinking about it, but, like, I’m excited.”

Once she arrived in Miami, her best friend Emma helped her settle into her apartment. Emma also brought groceries and frozen meals as Kai adjusted to her packed schedule.

“Emma got me some frozen foods because I haven't eaten in like three days,” Kai said.

Kai Trump starts early mornings with Miami golf team

College life quickly became busy, with her academic and athletic responsibilities starting almost immediately.

On her first Monday, she had a 7 am team meeting. While getting ready, she admitted that the early start was already taking a toll.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 16: Kai Trump visits
Kai Trump visited 'Fox & Friends' at Fox News Channel Studios on July 16, 2026, in New York City (Dominik Bindl/Getty Images)

“I’m very tired if you guys cannot tell by my face,” she said.

Her vlog also showed her official Miami team gear haul, including Miami-branded clothes and golf equipment, as well as her first practice with the women’s golf team.

For Kai, the move meant adjusting to a completely new schedule while also stepping into college athletics as a freshman.

Kai Trump returns home after getting strep throat

Her first week on campus took another turn when she became sick shortly after classes began.

Kai later revealed that she had been diagnosed with strep throat on Wednesday during her first week of school.

“I got sick with strep on Wednesday, my first week of school,” she told viewers.

Kai Trump with her mother Vanessa in Washington, DC (@kaitrumpgolfer/Instagram)
Kai Trump posed with her mother Vanessa in Washington, DC (@kaitrumpgolfer/Instagram)

She returned all the way to Jupiter because she was feeling so unwell and wanted her mother’s help.

“I came all the way back to Jupiter because I was so sick. I needed, like, my mom to nurse me back to health,” Kai said.

Kai is the elder daughter of Donald Trump Jr and his ex-wife, Vanessa Trump.

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