Trump attacks Kennedy family hours after death of JFK’s granddaughter

Donald Trump is facing widespread criticism on social media after reposting attacks on the Kennedy family shortly after news broke of the death of Tatiana Schlossberg, daughter of Caroline Kennedy and granddaughter of late U.S. President John F. Kennedy.

Schlossberg, 35, died on Tuesday, December 30, following a prolonged battle with acute myeloid leukemia, according to a statement released by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. In a deeply personal essay published in The New Yorker, she revealed she was diagnosed on May 25 last year, the same day she gave birth to her second child, and detailed months of chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, and a final clinical trial.

Hours after her death became public, Trump used his Truth Social platform to amplify posts criticising the Kennedy family over their opposition to the recent renaming of the Kennedy Center, following a controversial board decision.

One post shared by Trump accused the Kennedys of neglecting the cultural institution, while another claimed the family supports “only themselves.” The move reignited tensions surrounding the decision, which several members of the Kennedy family and Democratic lawmakers argue is illegal, as the center is a living memorial established by Congress.

Jack Schlossberg said the board vote was not unanimous, while Joe Kennedy III warned the renaming could face legal challenges. Kerry Kennedy accused Trump’s administration of suppressing free expression, and Maria Shriver said the timing of the attacks left her “speechless and enraged.”

Critics were swift in condemning Trump’s actions. The MeidasTouch Network described the reposts as “a stunning display of cruelty,” while veteran journalist John Harwood said the president’s behaviour was deeply troubling. Trump has not directly commented on Schlossberg’s death. 

Recall handpicked board voted to change the name of the John F. Kennedy Center to the Trump-Kennedy Center earlier this month. Since then, the jazz group The Cookers, the dance company Doug Varone and Dancers, folksinger Kristy Lee, and jazz artist Chuck Redd have all canceled scheduled events following the name change.

The center was established after the 1963 assassination of President Kennedy to honor his memory.

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