Before she was even born, before they even knew that she was expecting a girl, Vanessa Trump knew that the child’s name would be Kai. The reason was simple: Kai was her grandfather’s name, and with her love for the ocean, the name—which means ‘sea’ in Hawaiian—was a perfect fit. Over the years, Vanessa has certainly made sure that she builds a strong, healthy relationship with her oldest of five siblings just as she did with her grandfather and the ocean. So, when it was the former model’s big day, Kai did not hold back either.

“Happy Birthday, Mom. I love you so much. You’re my favorite person ever. Thank you for always supporting me and being my biggest fan. I am extremely lucky to have you. You’re the best! ❤️ @officialvanessatrum,” Kai posted on her Instagram account along with a carousel of memories as Vanessa turned 48.

The post featured several snapshots of the mother of five with her children with some glimpses of everyday family moments. Some photos also showed Vanessa cheering from the sidelines on the golf course, while another marked a major turning point, the day Kai Trump signed with the University of Miami.

Although Kai verbally committed in August 2024, she officially signed during Benjamin School’s early fall signing ceremony on November 7th. It was a milestone moment, with her mother proudly standing beside her as they marked the occasion with a photo together in front of a Benjamin Buccaneers poster, which Kai shared during the birthday post for her mother.

Interestingly, Kai choosing Miami was a decision so she can pursue her golf aspirations. However, it was also a result of Vanessa’s one strong wish: for Kai to be near her home in Palm Beach. While the daughter would’ve won hearts with her beautiful walk down the memory lane, Vanessa, too, doesn’t hide her appreciation for the oldest granddaughter of President Donald Trump.

The pride has been a consistent theme in Vanessa Trump’s own social media posts. In fact, most of her posts are about her kids. She frequently shares moments celebrating Kai’s growth as a golfer, including a recent emotional post from November when Kai made her LPGA debut at the ANNIKA Invitational.

Vanessa wrote, “I’m so proud of you, Kai! Today is your very first. LPGA event, and I couldn’t be more excited. I’ll be right by your side, cheering you on every step of the way! You’ve got this!”

The older Trump is certainly all about her relationship with her kids as she proudly boasts them, especially Kai, on her social media bio that reads: “Former model & actress! Balancing motherhood of 5! Mom of @kaitrumpgolfer”

Another peek into Vanessa’s capabilities as a mother comes from what her then-sister-in-law, Ivanka Trump, once told People in 2016, “She can be taking care of them all simultaneously, each pulling on her, and have direct meaningful connections with each of them at one time. It’s remarkable.”

Beyond motherhood, Vanessa’s personal life has also been in the public eye, as she has been dating Tiger Woods for close to a year now, with the couple making their relationship public in March 2025.

But while Kai Trump’s message centered on celebrating her mother, the day also marked a milestone of her own, as she stepped into a new role at the Optum Golf Channel Games.

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Kai Trump made her broadcasting debut at the Golf Channel Games

Kai Trump made her broadcasting debut at the inaugural Optum Golf Channel Games, marking her first foray into golf media. The event, staged at Trump National Golf Club Jupiter on December 17, featured teams led by Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler competing in a series of skill-based challenges, with Scheffler’s team ultimately taking the trophy home.

She appeared as a “special contributor” for Golf Channel, alongside Johnson Wagner, and took part in the trophy ceremony. She later shared glimpses of the experience on her Instagram Stories, offering followers a behind-the-scenes look at a day that highlighted yet another step in her golf journey.