An Idea Lives On - Jack Schlossberg, JFK’s Grandson, Talks Legacy, Politics and His Van

We recently caught up with Jack Schlossberg, grandson of John F. Kennedy, political firebrand, and van-based broadcaster, to talk legacy, Irish roots, and politics. From his self-built roadshow to his outspoken take on current affairs, Schlossberg is carving out his own path with humour, candour, and a touch of chaos.

You recently bought a van and started broadcasting from it. Can you tell us all about that?

Yes, I bought a van to make a roadshow. It’s called Test Drive and it’s on YouTube. We stream via a Starlink, the van has satellite WiFi and is a complete studio that I’ve made all by myself. It’s very low tech and very high tech at the same time. The goal is to travel to places affected by Trump’s policies, with an eye to our midterm elections next year, and to get people excited and encourage them to vote. It’s taken one maiden voyage from Massachusetts up to Canada and back, and she did great. It’s really been a dream of mine for a long time to live out of a van. I sleep in here, and it’s really fun.

You’ve got over 700k Instagram followers and a reputation for being irreverent, even unhinged. Are you playing with that image, or is it just you?

It’s a little bit of both. We’re in an era where social media is the dominant way that most people, my age and younger, get their information. I enjoy finding creative ways to break through. I have a lot of fun speaking my mind because I think it’s never been more important for citizens to speak their mind and to say that they’re not okay with what is going on because what is happening in America right now is unprecedented. We’re seeing that our institutions are pretty ill equipped to deal with this in real time. If you don’t make your message catchy or break through the algorithm, then no one’s going to hear it. So that’s really my mission. Really, I’m just making myself laugh a lot of the time, and it’s amazing to me that other people are laughing along with me.

John F. Kennedy was known for holding his Irish heritage close to his identity. Is being “Irish” part of your identity?

My mother made sure it certainly was. I was taught the real history and inspired by the stories of resilience in the face of British oppression. Ireland has such a rich history of amazing artists, literature, and accomplishments and the Irish diaspora has had a great influence despite all the obstacles they’ve faced. I definitely connect with and have serious Irish pride, and it’ll never go away, and I hope that my kids will too someday.

JFK’s 1963 visit to Ireland is remembered as a “homecoming,” and he called it the best four days of his life. Why do you think it resonated so deeply?

Fifty years after his trip, I retraced his steps with my sisters and parents—visiting New Ross and Bruff, where our family comes from, and many other places around Ireland. There’s just a quality to Irish culture that’s unique.

I think my grandfather’s sense of humour and justice came from his Irish roots. As a Catholic Irish American, he embodied the idea that someone from this culture could rise to the top, offering hope to many. When you look at the images from his visit, you can see the joy on his face—he was truly among his people.

JFK is remembered for fighting for peace, progress, and freedom — values that resonate strongly in Ireland. What does his legacy mean to you personally?

I could go on about that for hours, but something often forgotten about JFK’s legacy is his Irish roots. Being an Irish Catholic at the time of his election was seen as a huge risk, and that spirit—fighting for freedom and for the oppressed—really draws from his heritage and his position as a political outsider. We don’t think of JFK now as an outsider; he’s an icon of the presidency. But he really thought differently from many in his generation and used media effectively to get his message across. Above all, he encouraged generations around the world to enter public service and believe that it’s worthwhile, that politics can be a noble profession, and that everyone has a role to play. I’m always amazed at how many lives he touched and continues to influence—through his words, his image, and the example he set. Even now, despite changes in politics and the world, he remains a fixture because of what he stood for.

You’ve said that being a citizen is the highest office one can hold. What role do you see young people playing today, and how can they make an impact when so many feel powerless?

I think anyone who wants to understand what JFK stood for can look at the young people he inspired—a generation that stepped up, believed they could make a difference, and succeeded. Today, we’re heirs to that history and have a responsibility to shape the country and world we want. Activism may not look the same as in the past, but young people have a unique opportunity to be their own messengers and share their ideas widely, especially through social media. It’s easy to feel disillusioned with politics, and I feel that too at times. But that’s all the more reason to step up, fill the gap, and provide the leadership we want to see. Young people know how to communicate with each other in ways older generations often don’t, and that gives them real power to make an impact.

In JFK’s 1956 book, Profiles in Courage, your grandfather celebrated politicians who put integrity above politics. Can we see that today, and what unites people across the divide?

I would hope so. Today, courage often comes from government workers and civil servants, not just elected officials. Resistance to illegal policies under the Trump administration, for example, has been led by people like CDC employees defending science, even without a press team or backup. The profound courage my grandfather highlighted in his book about senators still stands, but now political courage is required just to speak out as a citizen or a government worker. Fear is used to silence opponents, so anyone standing up is making a real sacrifice. That inspires me—ordinary federal employees risking their careers to protest what’s wrong show tremendous bravery, and their courage should be recognised just as much as that of elected leaders.

JFK was the first president to harness television. Today, people get politics through TV, social media, podcasts, and more, often with facts distorted along the way. How do you see the media shaping politics now?

Politics and media have never been more intertwined, and information travels in entirely new ways. What excites me is that the barrier to entry has been lowered—regular citizens can speak out using just their phones, democratising public discourse. I don’t have a team or special backing—beyond my family name, I’m just like anyone else—but I’ve been able to reach people because of crafting a message effectively.

That shows how powerful it can be when people care about their ideas. Of course, this new media landscape is scary too, as misinformation can spread rapidly, and the president and some parties exploit that. But it’s also exciting because it allows more voices to be heard, giving citizens the chance to influence politics and public conversation like never before.

What’s next for you? Do you see yourself running for office someday, or maybe some other path in public service?

Yes, I can definitely see myself in public service someday, but I don’t have a specific plan. It’s more about being in the right place at the right time and representing communities who trust you to speak for them. I hope to be in that position one day. Right now, though, I’m focused on political activism. I want to use my voice to help change electoral outcomes. I’m not building an audience for its own sake—my goal is to get a message out and make a difference. So, I think what I’m doing right now is highly political.

If you could leave one message for readers in Ireland, what would you want them to take away?

Not to give up on the United States of America, because it might look different today than it did when my grandfather was president, and it might not be the one that I want to see, but our best days are yet to come. There are some Irish Americans out there who remember their roots and what it’s all about. So don’t give up on the United States, please.

Words: Kevin Gibbons

Image Credits:

Jack Schlossberg by Peter Fisher

1960s Ireland Photos – Robert Knudsen. White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

Editor’s Note – Jack Schlossberg announced his run for a US House Seat to represent New York in the 2026 elections in November 2025.