Jack Schlossberg, 33, a grandson of President John F. Kennedy, launched a harsh critique of President Donald Trump, accusing him of using the presidency to enrich himself while everyday Americans face rising expenses.
The Democratic candidate spoke on the MeidasTouch podcast this week, alleging Trump has leveraged his office for personal profit. A January report in The New York Times estimated that Trump’s family fortune grew by roughly $1.4 billion after his 2025 return to the White House—much of it tied to cryptocurrency ventures and deals that critics say mix public duty with private gain.
Schlossberg spoke plainly, citing Trump’s creation of his own cryptocurrency, his son’s roles on corporate boards, and attempts to trademark the U.S. 250th anniversary. “It’s a slap in the face with one hand, and he’s picking our pockets with the other,” he told the podcast.
He framed his critique as a threefold crisis of cost, corruption, and constitutional risk under Trump, warning that the president’s aggressive dealmaking introduces “a new pressure point on an American President that we’ve not previously seen,” and raises doubts about whether policies serve the nation or the president’s finances.
Schlossberg, who announced his campaign last November, is running to succeed retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler in New York’s 12th District. The district includes parts of Manhattan—Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Midtown, Chelsea, and ****’s Kitchen—and is one of the most Democratic in the country.
He has also criticized a family member. In an MSNBC interview announcing his run, Schlossberg called his cousin, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a “rabid dog” in Trump’s cabinet, accusing him of spreading health misinformation while holding major influence over healthcare policy.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the remarks. “I don’t even think such ridiculous comments are worth responding to,” she said to reporters, while praising Kennedy’s healthcare efforts and defending the administration’s integrity.
The family feud highlights rifts in one of America’s most famous political dynasties. RFK Jr. dropped his presidential bid in August 2024 to endorse Trump—a move his siblings called a “betrayal.” The Senate confirmed him as HHS secretary in February 2025 by a 52-48 vote; Senator Mitch McConnell was the only Republican to oppose.
Schlossberg faces a crowded Democratic primary including George Conway, along with state Assembly members Micah Lasher and Alex Bores. Early polls show Schlossberg near 25 percent support, largely from name recognition, while about a third of voters remain undecided before the June primary.
The sole living grandson of JFK has cast his campaign as a defense against democratic erosion. He called the 2026 midterms “the last chance to stop Trump” and warned that the president could attempt unprecedented power grabs—even pursuing a third term—if Democrats don’t retake the House.
Schlossberg, who has grown a profile as a commentator and social media figure with nearly two million followers, is polarizing: admired by progressives for his combative stance and criticized by others who question whether viral fame equates to governing ability.
He urged Americans to see a pattern: promises paired with personal enrichment, arguing Trump’s policies enrich the president while harming ordinary people through inflation and instability—”We’re getting screwed, and he’s getting rich.”
President Trump has not replied to Schlossberg’s charges. The administration maintains its business activities meet ethics rules and says the allegations are politically driven.
As the congressional contest heats up, Schlossberg’s readiness to confront both the president and his own family underscores an aggressive campaign approach. In a highly engaged Manhattan district, the Kennedy heir is betting that bold rhetoric and his family name will help him win a seat in Washington.
