Kai Trump opens up about emotional toll of mom Vanessa's cancer battle: 'A lot of crying'

Kai Trump has opened up about the emotional toll that her mom, Vanessa Trump's cancer battle has taken on her.

Vanessa, 48, revealed that she was battling breast cancer back in May, and in June, she shared that she had undergone surgery and was preparing for the second stage of her medical treatment.

Now, Kai, 19, has shared new insight into how the illness has impacted their family, admitting that it's been particularly difficult in the weeks leading up to her departure for college.

The teen started her first semester at The University of Miami this week.

'It was emotional, there was a lot of crying in the week leading up [to me leaving for school],' Kai admitted in a new interview with Fox News. 

'[Me and my mom] would just be driving and we would just start crying together,' Kai went on.

Luckily, Kai noted that she is not too far away from her home in Palm Beach, and said that her mom would come and visit her.

Kai added that she was 'very lucky' to be able to spend so much time with mom this summer, and branded her cancer battle as a 'blessing in disguise' since it gave them a chance to go to treatments together.

'I was very lucky to spend a lot of time with her over the summer, because of cancer and going to treatments with her,' Kai shared.

'It was a blessing in disguise, because I was able to spend extra time with her that I would normally probably spend on the golf course.

'It was nice to spend those extra hours with her throughout the day before going to college.'

During the interview, the pro golfer also gave an update on how her mom was feeling.

'My mom, she’s doing a lot better,' Kai vowed. 'Kind of after treatment, she wasn’t feeling very good … but she’s getting a lot better now.'

In May, Vanessa announced her diagnosis to the world via Instagram, while adding that she had undergone a 'procedure.'

'I want to share a personal health update. I've recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. While this isn't news anyone expects, I'm working closely with my medical team on a treatment plan,' she said.

'I would like to thank my doctors for performing a procedure earlier this week on me.'

The mom-of-five added that she is 'staying focused and hopeful while surrounded by the love and support of my family, my kids and those closest to me.' 

'Thank you for your kindness and support, it truly means more than I can express,' she concluded.

In another message posted to her Instagram page on June 13, she told followers that she would be entering the second stage of her treatment.

'I wanted to share an update on my cancer journey,' she wrote. 'Over the past four weeks, I've been recovering from surgery, and I'm grateful to be healing and moving forward.

'Soon, I'll be starting the second stage of my treatment. Sending love, strength and hope to everyone fighting this battle.' 

Vanessa was married to Kai's dad Donald Trump Jr from 2005 to 2018. In addition to Kai, they share Donald III, 17, Tristan, 14, Spencer, 13, and Chloe, 12. 

Vanessa is currently dating golfer Tiger Woods, who has reportedly been an 'amazing' support for the mom-of-five throughout her diagnosis.

During a July appearance at the 2026 ESPY Awards, Kai hailed Woods as one of her biggest 'inspirations.'

While she was on the red carpet, Kai was asked by Us Weekly who had inspired her over the past year, to which she took the opportunity to gush over the athlete.

'Probably Tiger [Woods], he's inspired me a lot, just [to] be a better person, a better golfer, and stuff like that,' Kai said.

Kai, who is set to join the University of Miami's women's golf team this fall, also revealed that he has given her advice about playing golf.

The teen said that he told her to 'keep being you and live life,' adding: 'He's amazing.'