Donald Trump’s granddaughter quietly launched her own clothing line this week – and some of the promo photos were taken right on the White House grounds. The 18-year-old, introduced by her father as “This is Kai,” was pictured in a plain crewneck sweatshirt from the new label, which is being sold online for about $130.
Don Jr. stood beside her outside the White House as reporters asked questions, and the pair later hopped into a helicopter to head to the Ryder Cup. The sweatshirt itself is simple: her initials on the chest and her signature at the cuff, and the brand is being billed under her name. The website shows Kai modeling the pieces while posing around the presidential residence.
Kai, who gave a short speech at last year’s Republican National Convention, is set to join the University of Miami’s golf team next year. Her parents are divorced, and her mother has been reported to be dating golfer Tiger Woods.
This move comes as the current president – unlike some past officeholders – regularly promotes a wide range of family-branded merchandise. Critics say that using the White House spotlight to showcase family businesses raises questions about mixing public office and private profit, pointing to past concerns about the family promoting real estate deals and cryptocurrencies. Supporters see it as a young entrepreneur stepping into the spotlight; critics see another example of how politics and business can blur.