On September 26, Kai Trump appeared at a golf tournament with her grandfather, wearing a sweater from her brand. Although the presence of the 18-year-old at such events isn’t new, it was her photos— shot in front of the White House and Lincoln Memorial —that drew backlash for potentially blurring the line between politics and personal business.
The debut collection consists solely of sweaters priced at $130 (~₩180,000), initially launched without a country-of-origin label. This sparked speculation that the garments were manufactured in China. However, a “Made in USA” label was later added to quell criticism.
A particularly controversial moment occurred during the event when Kai kept one hand tucked into her sweater pocket even while waving or shaking hands—an action seen by some as a deliberate branding gesture to spotlight the apparel.
Netizens and media commentators have criticized the Trumps for repeatedly leveraging their political status for commercial purposes. Critics argue that Kai’s involvement represents an early indoctrination into this pattern, highlighting the ongoing debate about the ethics of intertwining political power with personal enterprise.
Adding to the family’s commercial history, Donald Trump’s sons—Donald Jr. and Eric—have reportedly profited from meme coins using their parents’ names, while his daughter Ivanka Trump once ran her own fashion label before shutting it down due to backlash during her tenure as a White House advisor.
Despite mounting criticism, the White House responded, stating there are no specific regulations against photography on the premises and emphasized that Kai’s products are not endorsed by the government.
The incident rekindles concerns over the commercial use of presidential imagery and raises questions about boundaries between public office and private profit—even extending to the next generation of the Trump family.
Sources: 서울신문,AP연합뉴스
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