Kai Trump's Erewhon Shopping Video Sparks Social Media Backlash

The president's granddaughter faces criticism for flaunting wealth amid rising costs and war.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Kai Trump, the granddaughter of former President Donald Trump, has generated controversy after posting a YouTube video showing her shopping at the ultra-luxurious Erewhon Market in Santa Monica, California, with her Secret Service detail. The video, which has since been retitled, sparked backlash on social media, with some users drawing comparisons to Marie Antoinette and calling for Kai and her brother Baron to be drafted to fight in the ongoing U.S.-Israel war against Iran.

Why it matters

The video has been seen as a 'modern "let them eat cake" moment,' highlighting the perceived disconnect between the Trump family's lavish spending and the economic struggles faced by many Americans, including rising oil and gas prices and concerns about the overall state of the economy.

The details

In the video, Kai Trump is shown browsing the high-end Erewhon Market, known for its remarkably expensive products, and expressing shock at the $165 price tag of a store-branded sweater. The total bill for her shopping trip came to $233. The presence of her Secret Service detail has also drawn criticism, as taxpayer money is being used to fund the family's luxury purchases.

  • Kai Trump posted the video on her YouTube channel on March 8, 2026.
  • The video was originally titled 'I Brought My Secret Service to Erewhon' but has since been changed to 'I Tried the World's Most Expensive Grocery Store'.

The players

Kai Trump

The granddaughter of former President Donald Trump, who is active on social media with nearly 1.5 million YouTube subscribers and 2.7 million Instagram followers.

Donald Trump

The former president and grandfather of Kai Trump, who has dismissed concerns about rising oil and gas prices as the war in Iran rages on.

Mike Nellis

A Democratic strategist who called the video a 'modern "let them eat cake" moment'.

The Lincoln Project

A political action committee that criticized Kai Trump's video, saying 'Your kids might get drafted to fight in Iran, while the Trump family uses your tax dollars to shop premium, organic, gluten free cake'.

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What they’re saying

“Your kids might get drafted to fight in Iran, while the Trump family uses your tax dollars to shop premium, organic, gluten free cake.”

— The Lincoln Project (X)

“Short term oil prices, which will drop rapidly when the destruction of the Iran nuclear threat is over, is a very small price to pay for U.S.A., and World, Safety and Peace. ONLY FOOLS WOULD THINK DIFFERENTLY!”

— Donald Trump, Former President (Social media)

“A modern 'let them eat cake' moment.”

— Mike Nellis, Democratic strategist (X)

What’s next

The backlash to Kai Trump's video is likely to continue, with calls for the Trump family to be more mindful of the economic struggles faced by many Americans. It remains to be seen if the controversy will have any lasting political implications for the former president or his family.

The takeaway

Kai Trump's video has highlighted the perceived disconnect between the Trump family's lavish spending and the economic realities faced by many Americans, particularly in the midst of rising costs and an ongoing war. The backlash underscores the need for public figures to be more cognizant of the impact their actions can have on public sentiment during challenging times.