Jack Schlossberg, grandson of John F. Kennedy, has entered the race for Congress in New York’s 12th district. The announcement came Tuesday, signaling a new chapter for the young Kennedy scion in the political arena.
The district itself is a coveted one, encompassing the affluent neighborhoods of the Upper West Side, Upper East Side, and Midtown Manhattan. It stands out as having the highest per capita income of any congressional district in the United States, making it a significant political prize.
Schlossberg’s entry into the race has already been marked by controversy. He recently made a startling and widely criticized claim regarding Vice President J.D. Vance and the passing of Pope Francis.
Following a brief, private meeting between Vance and Pope Francis during Holy Week in Rome, news emerged of the Pope’s death. Vance, a Catholic convert, had received gifts from the pontiff and expressed appreciation for the audience despite the Pope’s frail health.
In the hours after the Pope’s passing, Schlossberg ignited a firestorm with a social media post stating, “Okay JD killed the pope.” The comment, delivered with a provocative tone, drew immediate and widespread condemnation.
He further amplified the accusation on Instagram, posting a message alongside a photograph questioning Vance’s meeting with the Pope and suggesting a connection to the Pope’s death. He praised Pope Francis’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, contrasting it with what he characterized as Vance’s “little faith.”
This isn’t the first instance of Schlossberg’s outspoken political views making headlines. Throughout the recent election cycle, he openly criticized his cousin, Robert Kennedy Jr., and voiced strong support for the current President.
In his congressional announcement, Schlossberg leveled a financial accusation against former President Trump, alleging that Trump personally profited by nearly a billion dollars this year. While figures indicate substantial earnings for the Trump Organization, estimates of Trump’s personal income fall short of that amount.
The core of Trump’s earnings stemmed from cryptocurrency sales, golf clubs, and licensing deals, demonstrating a complex financial landscape separate from his time in office. Schlossberg’s claim, however, remains a point of contention and scrutiny.
