Kai Trump made headlines with an unexpected political statement during her appearance at the star-studded ESPY Awards on Wednesday evening, subtly acknowledging her new stepmother along the way.
The 19-year-old dazzled on the red carpet in a custom-designed, glittering gold gown by Stacey Bendet, the creative mind behind Alice + Olivia, and a close friend of Bettina Anderson.
Often likened to the Oscars of sports, the ESPYs celebrate the year’s pinnacle achievements in athletics and took place at the iconic Lincoln Center in New York City.
The President’s granddaughter gave several interviews on the red carpet, including one with Sportico, during which she admitted she isn’t particularly interested in politics.
While speaking with a reporter, Kai was asked about her recent visit to the UFC 250 event at the White House to celebrate Donald Trump’s 80th birthday, and her views on how politics intertwine with sports.
‘To be honest, I tend to steer clear of politics—it’s not really my thing,’ she shared, ‘But I thought the UFC event was fantastic, and I really enjoyed the experience.’
‘Especially having veterans in the stadium as well, that’s where you can kind of combine the 250 point of view on it.’
Instead, the University of Miami freshman emphasized that her focus is on inspiring the next generation of female golfers.
Kai Trump, 19, made a rare political statement while attending the 2026 ESPY Awards on Wednesday night in New York City
‘Honestly, I kind of stay out of politics completely, it’s not my thing, but I think the UFC event was great and it was really cool being there,’ the 19-year-old said on the red carpet
‘I just like showing my life and showing how you can still be an athlete, and you can still do a ton of cool things, enjoy a ton of other things,’ she added. ‘I kind of like just showing people that everything’s possible.’
‘I love showing the new generation my progress through college, eventually, and how I got to where I am today.’
While she may not want to be involved in politics, Kai seems to be extremely close with her family, as she’s been pictured more than ever alongside her grandpa, President Trump, in recent months.
She has also spent a lot of time with her aunts, Tiffany Trump and Ivanka Trump, this summer, as they all traveled to the Bahamas together to celebrate her dad, Donald Trump Jr’s, nuptials to Bettina.
On Wednesday night, Kai’s Alice + Olivia dress featured a slit in the thigh and silver beading on the straps and top.
She paired the look with jewelry from Dallas-based company RW Fine, wearing the brand’s 18k yellow gold MeMe’s Charlie Cloud tennis necklace, which retails for $310,000, as well as a pair of $28,750 18k yellow gold Pruitt Multi Mixed Shape Front & Back Dangle Earrings.
She brought everything together with a pair of McKinsey Multi Mixed Shape Diamond Dangle Ear Climbers from RW Fine, which retail for $23,125, and some strappy gold heels.
Bendet, the founder of Alice + Olivia, attended Bettina’s intimate Bahamas wedding in late May, as well as her Mar-a-Lago bridal shower.
She also gave a subtle nod to her new stepmom with her glittering gold outfit. Kai walked the red carpet just before the ceremony, draped in a custom, shimmering gown made by one of Bettina Anderson’s besties, Stacey Bendet, founder of Alice + Olivia
Last month, Kai was wearing the designer once again, sporting one of their mini dresses at the UFC Freedom 250 event
In December 2024, the CEO even spoke to the Daily Mail about her friendship with the Palm Beach socialite, gushing that she is the ‘kindest soul.’
‘I have been friends with Bettina for a decade, she is the kindest soul, she has the biggest heart, she is witty and wise, hilariously funny and an Ivy League grad – anyone who says a word otherwise is just another societal example of women fixating on competing versus empowering,’ Bendet told the Daily Mail in response to rumors of the model being a ‘social climber.’
‘Don adores her for good reasons,’ Bendet added.
Last month, Kai was seen wearing the designer once again, sporting one of their mini dresses at the UFC Freedom 250 event.
The dress, which retailed for $1,595 but is now on sale for just under $400, is decorated with beaded, scalloped detailing all over.
Kai paired the mini dress with a pair of silver heels and accessorized with silver jewelry.
She also wore a casual look from the brand while spending time at the White House for Freedom 250 celebrations, sporting a blue and white striped tee and baggy white cargo pants with red trim at the waist.
Over the past few years, Kai has become somewhat of a famous social media influencer, as she usually shares vlogs that showcase the behind-the-scenes of her life, which often include trips to the White House.
She typically stays mum on politics, but during a January appearance on Logan Paul’s Impaulsive podcast, she revealed that she would never want to go into politics, like other members of her family, such as her father, Don Jr
‘I love showing the new generation my kind of progress, I guess, through college eventually and how I got to where I am today,’ the golfer added
Kai with stepmom Bettina and her aunt Tiffany Trump at the America250 celebrations
She typically stays mum on politics, but during a January appearance on Logan Paul’s Impaulsive podcast, she revealed that she would never want to go into politics, unlike other members of her family.
‘I would never run, I don’t want anything to do with politics, because I feel like politics is such a dangerous thing, and I think if both sides met in the middle, everyone would be so much more happier,’ she explained at the time.
Kai also emphasized the different dangers that come with social media these days, especially in the political landscape.
‘There’s radical left, there’s radical right, and there’s a lot of people that get too extreme, and that’s where social media really ties into it, because social media kind of makes your Instagram or your feed kind of either be really one way or the other,’ she said.
‘There’s not a lot of things on social media where you’re very much in the middle, and I think that makes some people crazy, and some people buy into it too much, I think that’s the best way to say it.’