Trump Faces Backlash for Comments Following Schlossberg's Death
Dec, 31 2025
In the hours following the announcement of Schlossberg's death, Trump posted several messages on Truth Social that criticized the Kennedy family's involvement with the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., which he has recently rebranded as the "Trump Kennedy Center." One of his posts included comments from Breitbart Editor-in-Chief Raheem Kassam, who accused the Kennedy family of neglecting the center.
Trump's posts also featured endorsements from his allies, including South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor. Kassam's remarks referenced Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Schlossberg's uncle, who has faced scrutiny from her regarding his management of medical research funding.
Critics have pointed out that Trump's comments were not directly related to Schlossberg's passing but were part of a broader narrative concerning his controversial takeover of the Kennedy Center, which has led to several scheduled performances being canceled due to backlash from both the Kennedy family and the public. Many social media users found Trump's timing to be particularly insensitive, with CNN's Jake Tapper labeling his posts as "social media garbage" in light of the Kennedy family's mourning.
This incident is not unprecedented; Trump has previously faced criticism for his remarks regarding other grieving families, including comments made shortly after the death of filmmaker Rob Reiner. The recent backlash highlights ongoing concerns about Trump's perceived lack of empathy in sensitive situations.