In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to post a series of critical statements about the Kennedy family just hours after the announcement of the death of Tatiana Schlossberg, President John F. Kennedy’s granddaughter. Schlossberg, who was 35 years old, passed away from cancer, prompting a wave of grief from her family and supporters.
Despite the tragic loss, Trump chose to share nearly two-week-old news articles and social media posts highlighting the Kennedy family's controversies. This decision has drawn considerable attention, especially as the Kennedy family was mourning their loss. The posts appeared to be a reaction to numerous artists canceling performances at the newly renamed “The Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.” This name change has sparked significant backlash, leading to protests from various artists.
The Kennedy Center, established as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy after his assassination in 1963, has a storied history dedicated to the advancement of the performing arts. It officially opened its doors in 1971. Trump's recent actions have raised questions about the appropriateness of his comments during a period of mourning for the Kennedy family.
On Tuesday, Trump began his social media spree by reposting articles from MAGA-friendly outlets such as Newsmax, Fox News, and Breitbart that were originally published on December 18. These articles discussed the addition of Trump’s name to the historic building. He followed this by sharing congratulatory posts from supporters, including Richard Grenell, whom Trump appointed to the Kennedy Center leadership. Grenell had previously praised the center's name change on social media, claiming it exemplified “bipartisan commitment to the arts.”
Trump’s posts didn’t stop there. He also shared collages of anti-Kennedy sentiments from social media, echoing critiques from far-right figures. One notable post from author Raheem Kassam claimed that the Kennedy family had “LONG neglected” the Kennedy Center, suggesting they did not contribute to its funding or attend events. Trump’s actions have ignited discussions about the appropriateness of such commentary during a sensitive time.
Earlier this month, Trump hosted the Kennedy Center Honors, where he inducted various artists, including KISS and Gloria Gaynor. However, the event's broadcast suffered from low ratings, marking the smallest audience in the award ceremony's history. Following Schlossberg's passing, the artistic community's response has been notably critical. Tenor saxophonist Billy Harper canceled his performance at the center, citing concerns over the venue's name and the implications of the Trump administration on the arts.
Harper expressed his strong feelings on social media, stating, “I would never even consider performing in a venue bearing a name that represents overt racism and deliberate destruction of African American music and culture.” Despite the backlash, Grenell contended that some artists were being encouraged by media outlets to boycott the center, implying that the cancellations were politically motivated. He suggested that these acts were booked under the previous leadership, which he characterized as “far left.”
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing discussions about the future of the Kennedy Center and its association with Trump’s name. As the artistic community navigates this evolving landscape, the implications of Trump’s remarks and the Kennedy family's legacy continue to draw significant public interest.