A member of President Donald Trump’s family is undergoing stem cell treatment after suffering a painful athletic setback.
The injury struck during an anticipated college debut, raising fears that another operation might be necessary.
The athlete is Kai Trump, the president’s 19-year-old granddaughter, who debuted for Miami at South Carolina’s Golfweek Fall Challenge.
She struck the ground near a cart path and felt a shock travel through her arm.
“Let’s just say there must have been some cart path underneath that ground because it was very hard,” Kai explained.
She continued playing, but the trouble intensified when she used her driver later in the round.
“Then on the tenth hole, I hit my driver, and I felt like I tore it again,” she said.
The moment was concerning because Kai underwent surgery on the same wrist this year.
That procedure addressed damage to her triangular fibrocartilage complex and stabilizing tissues surrounding the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon.
Kai had looked forward to returning pain-free before beginning her freshman season with the Miami Hurricanes.
Medical testing after the tournament brought reassuring news, showing that she had not completely torn the repaired area.
Kai described the damage as a “little sliver” involving cartilage and ligaments inside the wrist.
She said the injury does not require another surgical procedure, offering hope for a quicker recovery.
Instead, Kai turned to stem cell injections administered by pain management specialist Dr. Jeffrey Weigers.
Her video identified the treatment as Dezawa MuseCells while documenting another stage in her effort to resume competition.
The setback complicated her demanding debut as Kai adjusted to collegiate golf and life away from home.
She completed all three tournament rounds despite the pain and finished tied for 102nd among 120 competitors.
The result hardly told the full story because the wrist problem affected her at Caledonia Golf and Fish Club.
Kai committed to the University of Miami in 2024 after building her reputation as a competitive junior golfer.
Miami coach Janice Olivencia previously described Kai as a rising player who would bring tremendous energy and excitement.
Her arrival generated attention because of her famous family, large online following and ambitious golf plans.
Kai is the eldest child of Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Trump and the president’s eldest grandchild.
She became nationally recognized after speaking about her grandfather at the 2024 Republican National Convention.
Kai won club championships at Trump International Palm Beach and developed a competitive handicap before entering Miami.
She also made her LPGA Tour debut last November, becoming the youngest player in that tournament’s field.
Her transition to college has brought emotional challenges alongside the physical demands of returning from surgery.
Kai documented leaving her home in Jupiter, Florida, and admitted that saying goodbye to family and friends was difficult.
“I’m not a very emotional person at all, so this is like really weird for me to cry,” she said.
She nevertheless expressed excitement about beginning the next chapter of her life as a student-athlete in Miami.
The wrist reinjury now presents another test of resilience during the opening weeks of that new chapter.
Kai has responded publicly and candidly, sharing both the alarming moment and the more encouraging medical findings.
Avoiding surgery could preserve her opportunity to return during Miami’s fall tournament schedule.
The Hurricanes are scheduled to compete at the Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invitational beginning October 16 in North Carolina.
That timetable gives Kai several weeks to receive treatment, monitor the wrist and determine whether competition is realistic.
Her return will depend on how the damaged tissue responds and whether she can swing without renewed pain.
Reinjuring a surgically repaired area during a debut would be discouraging for any young athlete, Radar Online reported.
Kai’s prominent family name magnifies every result, but it cannot remove the ordinary physical risks of competitive sports.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
