CNN anchor Jake Tapper has launched a scathing attack on former President Donald Trump for his "social media garbage" targeting the Kennedy family, mere hours after the family announced the tragic death of President John F. Kennedy's granddaughter.
A Family in Mourning and a Political Attack
On Tuesday, the JFK Library Foundation shared the news that Tatiana Schlossberg, the 35-year-old middle child of JFK's daughter Caroline Kennedy, had died. Her passing came just one month after she publicly revealed her diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia, an aggressive blood and bone marrow cancer. The statement was issued on behalf of her husband, Dr. George Moran, and their two young children, Edwin and Josephine.
Despite the family's loss, Donald Trump used his Truth Social platform to repost attacks from his supporters against the famous political dynasty. The onslaught was related to the Kennedy family's criticism of his administration's decision to rename the historic Kennedy Centre in Washington DC as the Trump-Kennedy Centre.
The Controversial Renaming of a Memorial
The arts and culture venue, which opened in 1971, was dedicated as a living memorial to President Kennedy following his 1963 assassination. On December 18, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the board had voted unanimously to rebrand it. This move ignited fury from the Kennedy clan and prompted artist boycotts.
However, the claim of a unanimous vote has been strongly disputed. Ohio Representative Joyce Beatty, an ex-officio board member, stated she was muted on the conference call and not permitted to voice her opposition. "This was not on the agenda. This was not consensus. This is censorship," the 75-year-old posted on X.
Her account was corroborated by Tatiana's brother, Jack Schlossberg, who is running for Congress in New York. He confirmed that "microphones were muted" during the vote and the outcome was "NOT unanimous."
Widespread Condemnation and Family Outrage
Jake Tapper was not alone in condemning the timing of Trump's posts. Social media users labelled the former president "evil" and "disrespectful" for launching the attack on a day of mourning. Other members of the Kennedy family also expressed their profound anger.
JFK's niece, Maria Shriver, said she was left "speechless, and enraged, and in a state of disbelief." Joe Kennedy III, JFK's grandnephew and a former Massachusetts Congressman, emphasised that the centre is "a living memorial to a fallen president" named by federal law, arguing it could no more be renamed than the Lincoln Memorial.
The MAGA supporters' posts shared by Trump accused the Kennedy family of neglecting the centre and claimed the Trumps were the true supporters of the arts. This juxtaposition of a personal family tragedy with a bitter political feud has created a significant controversy, highlighting the deep divisions in American politics.
