As the Kennedy family grieved the loss of Tatiana Schlossberg — the daughter of Caroline Kennedy and granddaughter of President John F. Kennedy — Donald Trump posted a series of social media messages that mocked the prominent political family.
Tatiana, the middle child of Caroline Kennedy and her husband, Edwin Schlossberg, died on Tuesday, Dec. 30, at the age of 35. Her death came just over a month after she publicly disclosed that she had been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.
The announcement was shared through the social media accounts of the JFK Library Foundation on behalf of Tatiana’s family, including her husband, Dr. George Moran, and their young children, Edwin and Josephine.
“Our beautiful Tatiana passed away this morning. She will always be in our hearts,” the message read. It was signed, “George, Edwin and Josephine Moran, Ed, Caroline, Jack, Rose and Rory.”
In the hours following the announcement, Trump did not directly reference Tatiana’s death. Instead, he circulated screenshots of messages from his supporters criticizing and mocking the Kennedy family over their objections to his decision to add his name to the Kennedy Center, the historic performing arts venue in Washington, D.C. dedicated as a memorial to JFK after his assassination in 1963.
“The Kennedy Family have LONG neglected the Kennedy Center, btw,” one post claimed. “They don’t raise money for it. They never show up. And the only Kennedy who has been there recently is a member of Trump’s cabinet.”
Another post read, “The Trumps have always been supporters of the arts. The Kennedys are supporters of the Kennedys.”
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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on Thursday, Dec. 18, that the board of the venue had “voted unanimously” to rename it the “Trump-Kennedy Center.” The following day, workers added “The Donald Trump and” above the existing lettering that read, “The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.”
The move quickly sparked controversy. Tatiana’s brother, Jack Schlossberg, disputed the claim of a unanimous vote, writing on X that “microphones were muted” during the conference call and that the outcome was “NOT unanimous.”
His account was echoed by Ohio Rep. Joyce Beatty, an ex-officio member of the Kennedy Center board. Beatty said she and others who opposed the change were muted during the call and prevented from voting.
“For the record. This was not unanimous. I was muted on the call and not allowed to speak or voice my opposition to this move,” Beatty wrote. “Also for the record, this was not on the agenda. This was not consensus. This is censorship.”
In a video message, she added that Congress has authority over the Kennedy Center, noting that it was created by federal law. She described the renaming effort as “another attempt to evade the law and not let the people have a say.”
Other members of the Kennedy family framed their objections in legal terms. Joe Kennedy III, grandson of former Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, wrote that the Kennedy Center is “a living memorial to a fallen president” and that it was named by federal law. “It can no sooner be renamed than can someone rename the Lincoln Memorial,” he said.
The Kennedy family has not responded publicly to Trump’s latest posts. In the hours following Tatiana’s death, family members and relatives focused instead on sharing tributes in her memory.
Among them was Caroline Kennedy’s cousin, Maria Shriver, who was referenced in some of the screenshots Trump shared.
“I return to this space today to pay tribute to my sweet, beloved Tatiana, who left this earth today,” Shriver wrote on X. “I return to this space to pay tribute and honor her loving and supportive family, who came together and did everything they possibly could do to help her.”
“I cannot make sense of this. I cannot make any sense of it at all. None. Zero,” she continued. “My heart has always been with my cousin Caroline ever since we were little kids. My entire being is with her now. What a rock she has been.”
Shriver also reflected on Tatiana’s legacy as a mother. “Those of us left behind will make sure Eddie and Josie know what a beautiful, courageous spirit their mother was and will always be,” she wrote. “May we all hold Tatiana’s family in our collective embrace not just today, but in the days ahead, and may each of you who read this know how lucky you are to be alive right now. Please pause and honor your life. It truly is such a gift.”
