President Donald Trump launched a string of attacks against the Kennedy family on Truth Social. He reposted messages that mocked their relationship to the arts center named for the late President John F. Kennedy, per TMZ.
The timing of the posts raised eyebrows. Trump’s social media activity began just hours after the death of JFK’s granddaughter, Tatiana Schlossberg, who passed away Tuesday at the age of 35 after a battle with leukemia. The episode unfolded as the president was already facing scrutiny over a range of recent political controversies, from aggressive foreign policy posturing to cultural disputes at home.
The dispute centers on the controversial renaming of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, an institution created after Kennedy’s assassination as a living memorial to his legacy. Earlier this month, Trump’s handpicked board voted to rename the venue the Trump-Kennedy Center, a move that triggered backlash from artists and longtime supporters.
This reaction seemed driven more by backlash than reflection
That criticism has had real consequences. Multiple performers have canceled scheduled appearances in protest, including jazz ensemble The Cookers, Doug Varone and Dancers, folksinger Kristy Lee, and jazz musician Chuck Redd. The growing list of cancellations has added to concerns about the center’s standing within the arts community.
Trump reposted messages on Truth Social accusing the Kennedy family of neglecting the center. One repost claimed the family had “LONG neglected the Kennedy Center” and suggested they neither raised funds for it nor attended events. Another contrasted the families more bluntly, stating, “The Trumps have always been supporters of the arts. The Kennedys are supporters of the Kennedys.”
The outburst came as Trump has increasingly leaned into confrontation across multiple fronts. In recent days, he has drawn attention for issuing a warning while announcing new sanctions targeting companies tied to Iran and Venezuela, as well as confirming U.S. involvement in the destruction of a major facility connected to Venezuela.
The Kennedy family has declined to respond publicly to the president’s claims. Instead, their focus has remained on mourning Tatiana. Her cousin, Maria Shriver, shared a tribute describing Tatiana’s love of life and the family’s efforts to support her through her illness, emphasizing unity and grief rather than public dispute.
Published: Dec 31, 2025 09:15 pm