He may carry one of the most famous names, but this Democrat is not at all like his grandfather. The 32-year-old grandson of President John F. Kennedy, Jack Schlossberg, is openly considering a run for New York’s 10th Congressional District, the Manhattan seat soon to be vacated by Rep. Jerry Nadler after the longtime Democrat announced his retirement.
Schlossberg, the only son of former ambassador Caroline Kennedy, told The New York Times this week that a campaign is “certainly a possibility.” Nadler’s exit opens up one of the most coveted House seats in the country, one that stretches across central Manhattan and has historically carried significant political weight inside the Democratic caucus.
Although he has never held public office, Schlossberg has built a public profile that blends Ivy League credentials with social media flair. A graduate of both Yale and Harvard, he gained attention during the 2024 election as a political correspondent for Vogue and now hosts a YouTube commentary series filmed out of his van. His style is more influencer than statesman, and he has amassed a following by mocking conservatives and producing satirical skits.
That online persona was on full display just weeks ago when Schlossberg dressed in a blonde wig and used a fake Slovenian accent to lampoon First Lady Melania Trump. The video, in which he read aloud and ridiculed a letter she had sent to Russian President Vladimir Putin, was widely criticized as tasteless. Schlossberg doubled down afterward, telling his audience he thought the letter “made no sense” and dismissing it as little more than “melodic laughter.”
While he has leaned into his family name, Schlossberg has also sharpened his brand by distancing himself from certain Kennedys. He is a frequent critic of his cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who now serves as Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Trump. The two have clashed repeatedly, with Schlossberg using his platforms to deride RFK Jr.’s positions.
Nadler, in announcing his retirement, said it was time for a new generation to take the reins after watching Democrats falter in 2024. Whether Schlossberg can translate his internet notoriety into a serious congressional campaign remains to be seen. For now, one thing is certain: if he jumps into the race, the Kennedy legacy will return to the center of New York politics, but in a very different style than voters might expect.
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