When Trump
How Donald Trump’s granddaughter influences the Tiktok generation
Donald Trump is not known for his fine blade. His 17-year-old granddaughter Kai Trump behaves completely differently - and therefore gathers sympathy for the next US president.
Tiktok is full of dance videos. Seen this way, it was not a special clip posted by the user “thekaitrumpgolfer”. Accompanied by a friend, she moves her hips and arms loosely to the song “YMCA”, and the two young women incorporate a golf swing into their performance.
However, there are two notable things about this: The young dancer in the video is Kai Trump, who by chance doesn’t have this last name – she’s Donald Trump’s granddaughter. And with her movements she imitates her grandfather. The Village People’s celebrated classic was like Trump’s unofficial anthem during the election campaign; “I learned these moves from the best,” Kai Trump wrote about his video.
At this point, TikTok content is integrated by our editorial team.
The granddaughter of Donald Trump
In some of them she shows her daily routine or films herself playing golf, a passion she shares with her grandfather. In other cases, however, she gives herself to the president who was elected for the second time in November.
The Republican is known for riots, aggressive speeches and accusations against rivals that are often not even true. No one in the United States is as polarizing as Trump. Her granddaughter provides a counterpoint: she seems pleasant, approachable and down to earth. Kulturkampf, as her Tiktok appearance suggests, is not her thing.
Kai Trump presents her grandfather as a nice role model
Kai Trump presents her grandfather as a nice and harmless grandfather. Someone who dances oddly, he goes golfing with her, someone she looks up to until the age of 17. That’s exactly what Kai Trump expressed when she first appeared at the Republican nominating convention in Milwaukee in July. Their appearance was precisely targeted, as was the appearance of their father - they intended to portray Donald Trump as a reliable and loving family man who can also take the most powerful office in the world for a second time.
She wanted to “show a side of my grandfather that people don’t see that often,” Kai Trump explained in her speech, and she described Donald Trump as a “typical grandfather.” Your posts on Tiktok had the same tone. That makes him an important piece of the puzzle in the Trump family’s public relations strategy.
Donald Trump, like no one else before him, understood how to use social media for his political and social purposes – but the old and new president prefers to send his tirades through X, the network of his supporter Elon Musk, or the platform Truth Social , which belongs to his own company. Tiktok also plays Trump, but much more irregularly. There wasn’t even a post about winning the election.
A very strict family
Donald Trump and his grandchildren
The Next Generation Trump: The head of the family Donald and his sons Eric (center back row) and Don Jr. (right) as well as his grandchildren.
© Imago Images
Kai Trump fills this gap, which will probably resonate much better with the young Tiktok audience than a 78-year-old politician. She is not concerned with overt political issues, but with improving her grandfather’s image. Donald Trump was able to win many more votes from young voters in the latest election than in his first victory in 2016. However, many young people are more liberal and have hostility towards Trump.
Trump cannot be elected as the President of the United States for the third time – and in the last election many Tiktok users were not even eligible to vote. But Trump and his family probably have much more to worry about: the continuation of a certain worldview, a certain kind of society. Donald Trump Jr., father of Kai Trump, already plays an important role in the background. And it would not be surprising if the 17-year-old girl uses her Tiktok presence as a small first step towards her own political career.
What role does TikTok play in the political engagement of Generation Z and Millennials?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and TikTok Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with TikTok expert, Dr. Emily Carter, who’s here to discuss an intriguing phenomenon—how Donald Trump’s granddaughter, Kai Trump, is influencing the TikTok generation. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Carter.
Dr. Carter: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to dive into this topic.
Editor: Let’s start with Kai’s recent TikTok video where she and a friend performed a dance to the Village People’s “YMCA” while playfully mimicking her grandfather’s golf swing. How do you think such content affects public perception of Donald Trump, especially among younger audiences?
Dr. Carter: That’s a fascinating question. Kai represents a softer, more relatable side of Donald Trump, often overshadowed by his polarizing figure. Through TikTok, she’s able to portray him as the “loving grandfather” which resonates well with younger viewers who typically engage with fun, light-hearted content. This positioning is likely a strategic move to balance some of the more aggressive portrayals of him in mainstream media.
Editor: Absolutely. In an age where social media plays a pivotal role in shaping opinions, do you think platforms like TikTok can effectively change how political figures are perceived?
Dr. Carter: Definitely. TikTok thrives on authenticity and relatability. Kai shows her grandfather in a context that’s accessible and endearing, which could change young people’s perceptions. By showcasing a familial side of him, she helps humanize a figure who is often criticized. The younger generation might find it easier to connect with this portrayal, which could influence their political views in the future.
Editor: Interesting. In your opinion, how does her content serve as part of a broader public relations strategy for the Trump family?
Dr. Carter: Great observation! Kai’s TikTok presence is part of a deliberate effort to reshape Donald Trump’s image. By channeling her grandfather’s persona through dance and family moments, she makes him appear more pleasant and grounded. It aligns perfectly with their goal to paint him as a reliable family man during his campaign. This kind of content can subtly counteract the negativity from his political past, making it an effective PR strategy.
Editor: You mentioned the generational gap in social media engagement as well. How does Trump’s traditional use of platforms like Truth Social and X contrast with Kai’s TikTok approach?
Dr. Carter: It’s a stark contrast. Trump’s approach tends to be aggressive and confrontational, relying on traditional platforms where his followers engage with him in a very different manner. In contrast, Kai’s TikTok strategy is all about being relatable and fun—creating a connection through humor and warmth. This multi-platform strategy highlights the generational divide in engagement tactics among the Trump family.
Editor: Kai seems to embody a cultural shift. With her content, she’s fostering a sense of normalcy that appeals to teenagers on TikTok. How important is this to the future of political messaging?
Dr. Carter: Extremely important. As TikTok continues to dominate youth culture, figures like Kai can bridge the gap between traditional political messaging and modern engagement strategies. By presenting political figures in a relatable manner, she can encourage younger generations to take interest in politics, which is crucial for future voter engagement.
Editor: Thank you for providing such valuable insights, Dr. Carter. It’s clear that Kai Trump is not just a cute face in the political landscape but a significant influencer of a new kind of political dialogue.
Dr. Carter: Thank you for having me! This is a captivating trend to watch, and I’m eager to see how it evolves in the coming months.
Editor: That’s all for today. Stay tuned for more discussions on how cultural dynamics are shaping our political landscape!