Jack Schlossberg, 32, the only grandson of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy (JFK), who was assassinated in 1963, has stepped onto the front lines of American politics. According to major U.S. outlets including the Washington Post (WP) and the AP, Schlossberg on the 12th (local time) announced his candidacy as a Democrat for the U.S. House in next year's New York 12th District. The Democratic primary will be held on June 23 next year.
Schlossberg is a figure little known to Korean readers. But in the United States, he drew attention at every turn thanks to the symbolism of being JFK's only direct male descendant. He is the only grandson who carries the bloodline of JFK and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. He is the youngest son of JFK's daughter Caroline Kennedy and the famous designer Edwin Schlossberg. His mother, Caroline Kennedy, a key Democratic figure, served as ambassador to Japan under the Barack Obama administration and as ambassador to Australia under the Joe Biden administration.
Schlossberg grew up with his sisters, Rose and Tatiana, in the affluent Upper East Side of Manhattan, New York. His resume shows a classic elite path. He graduated from the prestigious New York private Collegiate School and earned a bachelor's degree in 2015 from Yale University, majoring in Japanese history. While at Yale, he volunteered as an emergency medical technician (E.M.T.). He then received a joint J.D.-MBA from Harvard University in 2022. In 2023, he passed the New York State bar exam. At the time, he boasted, "I probably passed in the top 1%."
But he did not let himself be boxed in as a "gold spoon." While he walked the standard path with roles like a Senate intern, he also worked part-time at a surf shop in Hawaii and volunteered as a political correspondent for Vogue during the 2024 presidential election. During this period, he personally contributed seven columns, showing a varied trajectory. When his mother served as ambassador to Japan, he worked at the Tokyo-based e-commerce company Rakuten and at the liquor company Suntory. He also actively took part in managing the family legacy, serving as chair of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library's "New Frontier Award" committee.
Schlossberg describes himself as a "social media provocateur." He has more than 1.7 million followers on social media platforms popular with younger users, such as Instagram and TikTok. In an interview with the New York Times (NYT), he declared, "I'm not for everyone." In his posts, he sometimes takes off his shirt and sings Beatles songs, or recites Byron's poetry while riding a skateboard. It is a calculated strategy. He said, "To break through internet opinion, you have to be at the center of the controversy." His mother, Caroline Kennedy, also told the NYT that "my son identified the use of social media as a weakness in Democratic campaign strategy," adding, "Schlossberg is the type who willingly takes risks and humbly accepts the results."
Major outlets focused on the Kennedy family's complicated divisions as Schlossberg emerged. His cousin (first cousin once removed) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) is a top confidant of President Donald Trump. He still serves as secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the Trump administration. He is the son of former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, JFK's brother. He once entered the Democratic presidential primary, but after pushing vaccine conspiracy theories, he split completely with the party. He eventually joined hands with Trump.
Even before declaring his entry into politics, Schlossberg openly criticized RFK Jr. In 2023, when RFK Jr. criticized Biden's reelection bid, he said RFK Jr. was "using the Kennedy family's Camelot for personal gain and fame." Camelot is the base of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table from the British legend. As he prepared to enter politics, he ratcheted up his attacks. He recently appeared on MSNBC and called RFK Jr. a "rabid dog." He said, "President Trump is obsessed with the Kennedy family and has put a leash on RFK Jr.," adding, "He's barking while spreading lies and misinformation." Schlossberg didn't stop there; he sparked controversy by posting a video mocking RFK Jr.'s shaky, frequently broken voice (spasmodic dysphonia) and taunting, "Let's lock ourselves in a room and debate until one of us gets autism."
Political insiders predicted Schlossberg's path would not be entirely smooth. The name "Kennedy" no longer guarantees victory in American politics. The New York 12th District he is targeting is where Rep. Jerry Nadler, who has held a Democratic stronghold for more than 30 years, announced he will not run. In this district, Schlossberg must first overtake state Assembly member Micah Lasher, a longtime confidant and former chief of staff to Nadler. Schlossberg himself has labeled himself an "insurgent," and his current standing is uncertain. On the possibility of backing Schlossberg, Nadler told CNN, "My successor should be someone who has served in public service and has a record of public accomplishment," adding, "Schlossberg does not have that record."
Fatigue with the "Kennedy dynasty" is also a factor. According to the Washington Post, there have been only two years since 1947 when a member of the Kennedy family did not hold federal office. Like RFK Jr., members of the Kennedy family have worked across various administrations. Some dipped their toes into politics only to lose face. Patrick J. Kennedy served as a Rhode Island congressman from 1995 to 2011, but became known for frequent scandals involving alcohol and drug addiction, depression, and traffic accidents. He eventually retired from politics after crashing near the Capitol in 2006 while under the influence of medication. RFK's nephew William Kennedy Smith was acquitted after being indicted on rape charges in 1991, but his political career was effectively foreclosed. More recently, in 2020, Schlossberg's cousin Joe Kennedy III suffered a crushing defeat to an incumbent in the Massachusetts Senate Democratic primary.
Quoting experts, U.S. media said Schlossberg's best chance of a soft landing in politics would be to lean on the argument that he is a standard-bearer for a generational shift in the Democratic Party. Within the party, public sentiment favoring a generational change has grown stronger than ever since last year's presidential election defeat. The surge of 34-year-old progressive candidate Zohran Mamdani in the recent New York mayoral race fits the same pattern. Schlossberg also backed Mamdani early and agreed with the Democratic generational-shift argument.
The political outlet Politico said, "The question is whether Schlossberg can persuade the Democratic base not only with nostalgia as JFK's grandson but as a provocative standard-bearer in his 30s," adding, "New Yorkers ended a political dynasty (the Cuomo family) that only days ago held the governor's office. We'll see how they feel about the Kennedy dynasty."