In the fragile hours after a family tragedy, most people choose silence or compassion.
Not everyone does. Just as the Kennedys were publicly mourning the loss of Tatiana Schlossberg, President Donald Trump’s online activity reignited old tensions—sparking debate over timing, taste, and intent. Was it critique, oversight, or something more calculated?
A family mourns
Tatiana Schlossberg, 35, daughter of Caroline Kennedy and granddaughter of President John F. Kennedy, passed away on December 30, 2025, after a courageous battle with acute myeloid leukemia. The Kennedy family shared the news with understated dignity:
“Our beautiful Tatiana passed away this morning. She will always be in our hearts.”
The statement was signed by her husband, George, their children Edwin and Josephine Moran, Tatiana’s parents Ed and Caroline, and her siblings Jack, Rose, and Rory. Condolences poured in from around the world, honoring her life and the family’s loss.
Controversy online
Hours later, Trump’s posts on Truth Social drew immediate attention. Rather than expressing condolences, he highlighted criticisms from his supporters about the Kennedy family, accusing them of “neglecting” the Kennedy Center—a longstanding cultural landmark in Washington, D.C.
The tension had already been brewing. Trump proposed renaming the Kennedy Center—the performing arts venue dedicated to JFK—as the “Trump-Kennedy Center.” Joe Kennedy III, grandson of Robert F. Kennedy, strongly opposed the idea, calling the center a “living memorial” protected by federal law and comparing any renaming to tampering with the Lincoln Memorial.
Trump’s posts emphasized the alleged neglect of the center by the Kennedys, contrasting it with the Trumps’ supposed support for the arts. He did not mention Tatiana’s death, but the timing of the posts provoked widespread outrage.
Public reaction
Social media users expressed shock and dismay. Many condemned the perceived insensitivity, urging support for Caroline Kennedy and her family. CNN’s Jake Tapper called the posts “a stunning display of cruelty” and described them as “social media garbage” during a day of profound mourning.
Conclusion
Grief is delicate, and words carry weight far beyond intention. Whether interpreted as critique, misjudgment, or deliberate insensitivity, Trump’s posts highlight the tension between public commentary and private mourning. For the Kennedy family—and the public watching—the episode serves as a stark reminder: timing and empathy often matter as much as the message itself.