Trump Criticizes Kennedy Family Hours After Tatiana Schlossberg’s Death

President Donald Trump faced backlash after he criticized the Kennedy family shortly after the announcement of Tatiana Schlossberg’s death from leukemia at the age of 35. Schlossberg, the granddaughter of President John F. Kennedy, passed away on November 28, 2023. The Kennedy family shared the news with a heartfelt message: “Our beautiful Tatiana passed away this morning. She will always be in our hearts.”

Schlossberg, the daughter of Caroline Kennedy and Edwin Schlossberg, had spoken candidly about her illness in an article for The New Yorker. The piece detailed her year-long battle with a rare form of leukemia, coinciding with her cousin Robert Kennedy Jr.’s criticism of the nation’s public health policies. Her death triggered an outpouring of condolences from across the political spectrum.

Just hours after the announcement, Trump took to social media, reposting comments from his supporters that criticized the Kennedy family. He did not mention Schlossberg by name or acknowledge her death directly. Instead, he shared messages that suggested the Kennedys had neglected the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where Trump’s name has recently been added following a board decision on December 18, 2025.

The backlash against Trump’s posts was swift. CNN anchor Jake Tapper highlighted the timing of Trump’s comments, noting that they came just after the Kennedy family had shared their grief. Tapper remarked, “A few hours later, President Trump re-posted some social media garbage attacking the Kennedy family.” This sentiment was echoed by various commentators who criticized Trump for what they deemed a lack of basic human decency during a time of mourning.

The Kennedy family had been vocal against the name change of the Kennedy Center, which was originally dedicated as a living memorial to JFK following his assassination in 1963. The public response to the name change has included significant criticism from both fans of the Kennedy legacy and members of the arts community.

In the days following Schlossberg’s death, the conversation surrounding her life and the Kennedy family’s legacy continued. Critics of Trump’s timing and remarks emphasized the importance of empathy during personal tragedies. The commentary from Meidas Touch pointed out that “on a day when the Kennedy family is grappling with an unimaginable personal loss, Donald Trump chose to use his platform to launch petty, vindictive attacks against them.”

As the situation unfolds, the Kennedy family is left to mourn the loss of a beloved member while navigating the continued public discourse surrounding their legacy and their relationship with the current administration.