Blog
What Happened with Kai Trump’s Tan at the ESPYs?
Like grandfather, like granddaughter.
Kai Trump attended the 2026 ESPY Awards in New York City on Wednesday, July 15, and her appearance sparked a lot of conversation. Kai, the granddaughter of President Donald Trump, arrived at the ESPYS in a sparkly, gold gown with loose curls in her blonde hair. However, many people also pointed out that she might’ve gotten a spray tan before the event, given that her skin was bright orange.
“She’s got grandpa’s tan, that’s for sure!” one person said on X, while a second user wrote, Dear God, the whole family is orange.”
A third X user commented, “She clearly inherited the Oompa-Loompa skin tone.”
Related: Barron Trump Misses Dad’s Major Family Event After Report the President’s ‘Favorite’ Kid Had Been Dethroned
Others took aim at Kai’s smile, with an X user pleading for someone to “please teach her how to smile.” Someone else added, “Gosh those veneers are kicking her a— every day aren’t they,” while one more X user penned, “You think with all that wealth they could afford better tans and better veneers.”
“There’s something so oddly manufactured down to the steel face Mar-a-Lago smile to the Utah Tan and to somehow a shake and go wig as a cut but for whatever reason the hair got chopped like she Nicki Minaj after she runs through a good wig like she did to the Barbie movie wig,” another person shared.
Kai’s latest appearance comes amid reports that she is Trump’s new favorite family member. A source recently told Rob Shuter’s Naughty But Nice, “Kai has replaced Ivanka as Donald’s favorite. She makes him laugh, keeps him feeling young, and genuinely loves being around him. He absolutely lights up whenever she’s with him.”
“Ivanka chose a quieter life,” a separate insider explained. “She didn’t lose Donald’s love, but she did give up the role of being the family member he most enjoys showing off. Kai has naturally stepped into that space.
Another insider claimed that Trump “loves that Kai connects with a younger generation. She’s fun, loyal, and authentic. Right now, she’s the Trump everyone wants to see—and Donald couldn’t be prouder.”