Jack Schlossberg Blasts RFK Jr. as ‘Dangerous’ While Launching Run for Congress
Jack Schlossberg, grandson of President John F. Kennedy, came out swinging on his first day as a congressional candidate—taking direct aim at his cousin, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and accusing him of endangering Americans through his policies and rhetoric.
“RFK Jr. is a dangerous person who is making life and death decisions as Secretary of Health and Human Services,” Schlossberg told MSNBC. “And you don’t have to take my word for it. He’s gutted his department, fired vaccine experts, and replaced them with anti-vaxxers. There’s a measles outbreak in America right now higher than it’s been in 40 years—and it’s directly because of him.”
The 32-year-old Democrat, son of Caroline Kennedy and grandson of JFK, officially entered the race to replace retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler in Manhattan. But instead of a typical campaign rollout, Schlossberg launched into a personal and political attack on his cousin, calling RFK Jr. a “rabid dog” who is being used by President Donald Trump to legitimize his administration.
“He put a collar on my cousin and has him barking for attention,” Schlossberg said, suggesting Trump’s appointment of RFK Jr. to the Cabinet had more to do with obsession with the Kennedy name than competence. “He’s out here doing infomercials for Steak ‘n Shake and Coca-Cola while pushing misinformation that’s killing people.”
Schlossberg’s attacks are not new. He’s previously spoken out against RFK Jr., especially when his cousin first announced a presidential bid last cycle before ultimately joining the Trump administration. But Wednesday’s remarks marked the most aggressive and personal criticism to date.
Despite his public feuding with RFK Jr., Schlossberg also tried to draw a line between his cousin and the broader Kennedy legacy.
“No matter what he says or does, nobody can change what my grandfather stood for,” he said. “Nobody’s that powerful.”
Schlossberg enters a crowded Democratic primary that already includes journalist Jami Floyd, nonprofit leader Liam Elkind, State Assemblymen Micah Lasher and Alex Bores. Lasher, seen as Nadler’s hand-picked successor, poses a serious challenge. But Schlossberg is banking on name recognition, national attention, and liberal cred to break through.
In recent years, he’s become a recognizable progressive voice, especially on social media, where he has over 1.6 million followers. He has used his platforms to mix hot takes with political commentary, recently declaring that actress Sydney Sweeney is “not hot” and revealing that his biggest crush is former Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. He also denied being jealous that his cousin Conor Kennedy once dated pop star Taylor Swift.
Despite his online antics, Schlossberg is serious about politics. A graduate of Yale and Harvard Law School, he spoke at the Democratic National Convention last year, praising Kamala Harris and calling for a generational shift in leadership.
But not everyone in his family is thrilled about his campaign. A source close to his mother, Caroline Kennedy, said she’s “nervous” about him entering the fray. “Jack’s decision to throw his hat in the ring has seriously frightened Caroline,” the source told The Post. “She thinks politics today is too dangerous and crazy.”
Still, Schlossberg is moving full steam ahead. His campaign website leans heavily into JFK’s legacy, with a banner message that reads: “Each generation of Americans is tested. The 2026 midterms is our moment.”
“I’m running for Congress,” the statement says, “because the best part of the greatest city on earth needs to be heard loud and clear in Washington and deserves a representative who won’t back down.”