Here’s what happened.
President Donald Trump’s granddaughter Kai Trump is opening up about a difficult start to her freshman year after an emotional departure from home was followed by an illness that forced her to temporarily leave college.
The 19-year-old shared the personal experience with her followers while documenting her move to the University of Miami, where she is beginning college as a member of the school’s women’s golf team.
What was supposed to be an exciting milestone quickly became an emotional adjustment for the president’s granddaughter.
Kai Trump Opens Up About Leaving Home
Before beginning college, Kai spent her final days at home in Jupiter, Florida, preparing for a major change in her life.
While returning home after playing golf, she admitted that the reality of leaving behind family, friends and her familiar routine had hit her harder than she expected.
Kai told viewers she had been crying repeatedly as moving day approached.
She explained that becoming so emotional felt unusual because she normally does not consider herself someone who cries easily.
Despite those emotions, Kai said she remained excited about beginning the next chapter of her life.
It was a feeling likely familiar to millions of parents and grandparents who have watched a young family member leave home for college for the first time.
Excitement about new opportunities can quickly collide with the reality of saying goodbye to home.
College Life Gets Off To A Hectic Start
After arriving in Miami, Kai immediately began dealing with the responsibilities that come with living on her own.
Her best friend, Emma, helped with the move and made sure Kai had groceries and frozen meals available while she settled into her apartment.
Kai acknowledged that her busy schedule had interfered with her normal eating routine during the transition.
There was little time to relax once college officially began.
As a student-athlete on the University of Miami women’s golf team, Kai must balance her academic responsibilities with practices, meetings, training and competition.
That demanding schedule became apparent almost immediately.
On her first Monday, Kai had to report for a 7 a.m. team meeting. While preparing for the day, she acknowledged how tired she already felt.
The young golfer also showed viewers some of the equipment and University of Miami apparel she received after joining the program.
She then headed to her first team practice as her new routine began taking shape.
Unexpected Illness Sends Kai Trump Back Home
Just days into her first week of classes, however, Kai encountered another setback.
She became sick with strep throat.
The illness disrupted her introduction to college life and eventually prompted her to leave Miami temporarily and return to Jupiter.
Kai explained that she felt sick enough that she wanted to recover at home with help from her mother.
The timing could hardly have been more difficult.
Within a matter of days, Kai had gone from an emotional goodbye and a major move to early-morning athletic obligations, college classes and an illness that sent her back home.
For any freshman, that would make for a challenging first week.
A Different Side Of The Trump Family
Kai is the eldest daughter of Donald Trump Jr. and his former wife, Vanessa Trump.
Although she comes from one of America’s most recognizable political families, Kai has increasingly established a public identity centered around golf and her own experiences.
Her decision to document the transition to college gave followers a glimpse of a considerably more ordinary side of life in the Trump family.
There were no campaign rallies or political battles involved. Instead, Kai was dealing with challenges that countless American families understand: leaving home, adjusting to greater independence, managing a demanding schedule and getting sick at the worst possible time.
For parents and grandparents who have sent children off to college, her emotional reaction may be especially relatable.
Moving away from home represents freedom and opportunity for young adults, but it can also bring homesickness, uncertainty and new responsibilities.
Kai Begins Her Next Chapter
Golf will be a major part of Kai’s college experience.
Competing at the collegiate level means she will have to juggle schoolwork with practices, team commitments and tournaments while adapting to life away from home.
Her first week demonstrated just how quickly those responsibilities can pile up.
Still, despite the emotional goodbye and unexpected illness, Kai expressed excitement about what lies ahead.
The difficult beginning ultimately provided an early lesson in the realities of independence.
For President Trump’s granddaughter, the start of college may not have gone according to plan, but her freshman year is only beginning.
And after an emotional move, an exhausting new routine and a case of strep throat, Kai Trump already has quite a story to tell about her first days as a college student.