Trump Shares Intimate Details of JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette's Relationship
President Donald Trump disclosed that he knew the late John F. Kennedy Jr. "very well" and proceeded to describe the sexually charged relationship between Kennedy and his wife, Carolyn Bessette, during a phone interview on Fox News Channel's The Five on Thursday evening.
Nostalgia and Personal Insights
Fox News host Dana Perino referenced the popular FX series Love Story, which chronicles Kennedy and Bessette's whirlwind romance, and inquired if Trump felt nostalgic for the 1990s. She also asked whether the President was acquainted with the younger Kennedy.
Trump expressed a preference for the 1980s before divulging extensive knowledge about John F. Kennedy Jr.'s professional life, political aspirations, and tumultuous relationship with Bessette. "I knew them both pretty well, I knew him much better," Trump stated. "They would go down to Mar-a-Lago together and they had a very interesting relationship."
Volatile Dynamics at Mar-a-Lago
The President elaborated on the couple's behavior during their visits to his Florida estate. "They would bicker, I want to be nice, they would bicker together. In other words, have little fights and then they'd make up and start kissing wildly," he described. Trump characterized it as one of "those" relationships, noting, "And you never know how those relationships are going to turn out. Frankly, I've seen them go on for years and I've seen them go on for about two days before they broke up."
Kennedy's Professional and Political Ambitions
Trump also recalled that Kennedy "liked me, believe it or not," highlighting that Kennedy featured him on the cover of his magazine, George. The February/March 2000 issue, titled "The Trumpster," focused on Trump's political ambitions, which materialized fully sixteen years later. This publication occurred shortly after the tragic plane crash on July 16, 1999, that claimed the lives of Kennedy and Bessette. "It was a tragic thing," Trump remarked.
The 79-year-old President further claimed that Kennedy intended to sell George magazine and pursue higher office. "Look, he was going to sell that magazine, which was a little bit of an anchor, it didn't work out too well. It was OK," Trump said. "He was a handsome guy. You don't get better looking. And he was going to run for politics. He was going to run for the Senate, he told me, and nobody would have beaten him, and he probably would have ended up being president, because he had a lot of good things. He was sort of a great guy."
Historical Context and Political Ramifications
A Senate seat opened in New York for the 2000 election cycle, which the series Love Story depicts Kennedy discussing with a political consultant. Ultimately, the seat was won by Hillary Clinton, Trump's 2016 Democratic presidential rival. Trump asserted, "I think he would have gone on to be president."
Kennedy Family Tensions and Connections
Trump has faced criticism from many in the Kennedy family due to his administration's actions, such as the takeover of the Kennedy Center and alterations to Jacqueline Kennedy's designs, including repainting Air Force One. Concurrently, he maintains a Kennedy in his Cabinet, with JFK Jr.'s cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., serving as Secretary of Health and Human Services.
