The grandson of John F. Kennedy Jr. is mulling a run for Congress in Manhattan, and he could have “a shot” at profitable the Democratic main subsequent yr, in keeping with political observers.
Jack Schlossberg, 32, is greatest identified for his on-line trolling of varied distinguished folks and unhinged social media posts.
He has impersonated First Girl Melania Trump and continuously rails towards his cousin, Robert Kennedy Jr, the Secretary of Well being and Human Companies. At one level he imitated RFK Jr.’s spasmodic dysphonia, which generally makes it tough for him to talk.
He’s mentioned to be eyeing Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler’s seat on the Higher West Facet after the 17-term Congressman determined earlier this month that he wouldn’t search re-election in 2026.
Schlossberg has informed his social media followers he had arrange an exploratory committee however has not but registered to run.
“He’s ready till after the mayoral election earlier than he makes it official,” mentioned a Democratic social gathering insider who’s near the Kennedy scion.
For veteran political strategist Hank Sheinkopf, the plan is smart. With the town targeted on the four-way race with controversial Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani main the ballot towards former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, Mayor Eric Adams and Guardian Angels chief Curtis Sliwa, Schlossberg may need to again a candidate if he pronounces a nationwide marketing campaign earlier than the November vote.
“It’s a wise transfer,” mentioned Sheinkopf. “Why put strain on him to interact within the mayoral race and drive him to need to faux a place to again a candidate he could not need to again?”
As an alternative, Schlossberg is warning the Democratic social gathering wants elementary change and feels his confrontational model will get folks’s consideration.
Final week, when Jimmy Kimmel’s late evening program was suspended after the host’s feedback about slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Schlossberg posted a video message to his Instagram account exhibiting him strolling by New York Metropolis, speaking about Donald Trump’s “media presidency.”
“Democrats must to provide you with one thing shortly as a result of if we don’t get our act collectively and combat again on the airwaves with a greater message spoken to folks in methods they’ll perceive…if we don’t try this and we let one other election cycle go by with out giving anybody something to cheer for, we’re going to maintain shedding,” Schlossberg mentioned. “We’re working out of time.”
Nevertheless, Schlossberg’s troll-like on-line habits has left a lot of his followers involved, with some even telling him to “search assist.”
In a single put up he mocked his late grandmother, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, questioning whether or not Usha Vance, Vice President JD Vance’s spouse, was “hotter” than his grandmother.
“I known as my grandmother sizzling … have I completely misplaced it? Jesus … this child will do something for consideration. Your grandfather could be ashamed. Significantly. Time to get a job,” he wrote.
In making an attempt to enchantment to younger voters, he made a visitor look at a Georgetown College assembly of campus Democrats and final month began “Take a look at Drive Reside,” a YouTube podcast the place he interviews political leaders from his van.
US Senator Chuck Schumer was certainly one of his first a company. In the course of the podcast, Schumer introduced that he had appointed Schlossberg to the America 250 Fee, a non-partisan charity organizing occasions for the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of America’s founding on July 4, 2026.
Schlossberg lately requested his greater than 707,000 Instagram followers if he ought to run for political workplace. Greater than 90 p.c answered “sure” and 30,700 responded to the ballot, in keeping with the Sept. 3 put up.
Schlossberg, who’s full identify is John Bouvier Kennedy Schlossberg, graduated from each Harvard Legislation College and Harvard Enterprise College in 2022.
He’s the son of Caroline Kennedy, a former US ambassador to Japan and Australia. His father, Edwin Schlossberg, is an artist. He has two older sisters — environmental journalist Tatiana Schlossberg and artist Rose Schlossberg.
The younger Kennedy has little private political expertise, as lately identified by Nadler who dismissed Schlossberg as a severe candidate, saying he lacked any public service expertise, in keeping with stories.
“If I had been Jack, I might assume meaning he might win,” mentioned the Democratic Occasion supply, referring to Nadler’s dismissal. “In addition to that, he’s not like every other Kennedy. He’s looking for himself and that resonates with voters and is humanizing.”
Within the Democratic main race for his seat, scheduled for June, Nadler is backing his political protegé Micah Lasher, a newly minted Manhattan Assemblyman.
Lasher, who was born and raised on the Higher West Facet, has 675 followers on Instagram.
“He’s obtained nearly no social media presence,” mentioned the Democratic supply.
“I’m unsure Nadler’s endorsement is efficacious,” mentioned Sheinkopf. “He’s always backed Scott Stringer within the mayor’s race. Is Stringer the mayor?”
Along with Lasher, New York Metropolis Council Members Erik Bottcher and Keith Powers in addition to Meeting Member Alex Bores have additionally expressed curiosity in Nadler’s seat.
Chelsea Clinton had additionally been floated as a candidate for Nadler’s seat however has since mentioned she just isn’t involved in working, in keeping with Metropolis & State.
If Schlossberg — who didn’t return a request for remark from The Put up — is hoping to run on the Kennedy legacy, his marketing campaign might backfire, mentioned Sheinkopf.
“He’s a man with a German-Jewish final identify who nonetheless has the patina of the Kennedys though it’s important to cease to elucidate who he’s associated to,” Sheinkopf informed The Put up.
“That legacy is de facto questionable now. However he brings ardour, he brings youth. And the citizens may not care that he has no expertise.”
Schlossberg labored together with his mom, Caroline Kennedy, when she was ambassador to Japan from 2013 to 2017, accompanying her on official visits and dealing as a workers assistant for the Division of State.
