United States of Kennedy
Episode Title: Jack Schlossberg’s Congressional Run
Date: December 1, 2025
Hosts: George Civeris, Julia Claire
Guest: Kara Vogt (Washington Post political features writer)
Episode Overview
Theme:
This episode explores the recent announcement that Jack Schlossberg, the only grandson of JFK, is running for Congress in New York’s 12th district. George, Julia, and special guest Kara Vogt dive into Schlossberg’s eccentric public persona, the tension between legacy and individuality, and what his run says about both dynastic politics and modern political media.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. The Big News: Jack Schlossberg’s Congressional Campaign
[02:56]
- Schlossberg is among over ten candidates vying to replace Jerry Nadler in NY-12, a wealthy, Democratic stronghold.
- The district offers “immediate access to the city’s concentration of wealthy donors, media giants, and Democratic top brass” (Julia quoting The New York Times).
2. Jack Schlossberg: Kennedy Scion Turned Viral Curiosity
[03:31] – [04:20]
- Known for social media antics: shirtless singing/dancing videos, online spats with cousin RFK Jr., provocative tweets.
- Has described wilder behavior as a “strategic ploy to get people talking about politics and reclaim the attention economy.”
- “He once, of course, tweeted to his followers asking if Usha Vance is hot [referring to J.D. Vance’s wife].” — George [03:58]
3. Kara Vogt’s Reporting: Portrait of a "Silly Goose"
[04:58] – [11:21]
- Kara details her year-long attempt to profile Schlossberg, including personal family challenges (sister Tatiana’s cancer diagnosis).
- Unpacks his blend of tradition (Profiles in Courage Awards, “putting on a suit and talking about his grandpa”) with performative, sometimes trollish online bits.
- “I feel like I got the bit… he was lending this political heritage, this really American idealism… to this new way of doing politics.” — Kara [05:34]
- Kara notes that Schlossberg embraced her offhand description, calling himself a “silly goose” in public—a phrase she coined in their chats.
- “Everywhere I go, I see Jack calling himself a silly goose.” — Kara [10:18]
4. Navigating the Kennedy Legacy
[11:21] – [12:39]
- The “tension” of living up to both the Kennedy myth and his own identity: earnest one moment, provocateur the next.
- “He both tries to live up to it sometimes and doesn’t at others.” — George [11:30]
5. Social Media Star to Candidate: What Changes?
[12:39] – [14:06], [17:49] – [22:10]
- After early forays as a surf-shop employee and viral actor, Schlossberg tried “to formalize whatever that organic energy is,” launching a YouTube show and now his campaign.
- “He was gonna be an actor, he was gonna practice law, he was gonna work for the Biden campaign. The jobs… it’s almost like when you ask a 5-year-old what they want to be when they grow up. It was all very like, anything, anything.” — Kara [12:54]
- Since announcing, he’s scrubbed his social media: YouTube show unlisted, tweets (including infamously off-color ones like “Pod Save my limp dick” [21:29]) deleted.
- Discussed whether this “cleanup” is a mistake, possibly removing what made him appealing: authentic, goofy, a digital native unafraid to be weird.
- “What he is doing is not why he resonated with people in the first place. Yeah. Like, I feel that in my bones.” — Kara [22:04]
- “Anyone who works in oppositional research has already gotten all these tweets… so it’s not like… they just get the entire ream of any filthy thing he ever said.” — Kara [24:19]
- “To even think this could make a difference makes me think he’s working with someone who doesn’t quite know how the media ecosystem works.” — George [24:30]
6. Campaign Messaging: Platitudes over Policy
[25:41] – [29:40]
- Hosts review Schlossberg’s campaign website: imagery echoing JFK and JFK Jr., list of vague “12 Promises” (e.g., “courage,” “positivity,” “accountability”) without concrete policy.
- “They almost strike you as something you would find on bad art at home goods.” — Julia [27:13]
- “It kind of strikes me as someone who doesn’t quite know who he is yet, but also someone who much has been asked of him, specifically from the Democratic establishment.” — Julia [29:40]
- Kara notes he’s “really earnest… even though he is funny, there is an earnestness in his humor. He is never actually totally detached.”
7. Within the Democratic Establishment: Symbol or Change Agent?
[29:40] – [32:37]
- Schlossberg was asked to speak at the 2024 DNC, consciously grouped with Jimmy Carter’s grandson to present a “blessing” from Democratic dynasties.
- His actual campaign and online persona clash with the symbolic expectations placed on him by party leaders.
- “He didn’t talk about what the party could be doing reaching out to young people… He was talking about his grandparents and he talks about his mother. And I think to the Democratic Party he is still that. He is above all else a Kennedy who can remind Democrats of the good times.” — Kara [30:28]
8. Public Perception: The Internet “Ick” and Dynastic Fatigue
[37:48] – [43:31]
- Despite internet virality, his campaign announcement was widely met with skepticism and even derision, largely due to dynastic fatigue and tough competition.
- “Despite all the love he has experienced over the last two years, when he did finally announce his run, the reaction that I saw at least was mostly negative.” — George [37:48]
- “People of both genders… were like, what if we kiss under the ball drop? To being like, ew. Ew. I’m just so sick of seeing Jack Schlossberg. He’s giving me the ick.” — Kara [40:54]
- Discussion of a shifting generational mood: voters (especially younger ones) are less jazzed about “legacy” candidates, especially with the current association of another Kennedy (RFK Jr.) as a problematic public figure.
- “It seems that there is really not an appetite right now for dynastic politics, at least maybe not in his district, honestly…” — Julia [41:42]
9. The Burden of Legacy: What Can Modern Kennedys Be?
[43:31] – [45:37]
- Drawing parallels to the Bush family and the British royal family, the hosts and Kara debate whether it’s possible for dynastic heirs to find authentic roles outside politics.
- “If you’re going into politics, there is a thought and expectation about who you are and what you represent… It is impossible to figure out who you are without that history weighing on you.” — Kara [43:31]
- “Honestly, I could see someone like Jack being equally as successful in a similar role [as Jenna Bush] in a non political, but still entertainment, still a very visible legacy of this family.” — Julia [45:06]
- Kara: “There is a way of being able to translate the life experience and the people, you know, for the rest of us. That I think is one of the most compelling ways to be a Kennedy right now.” [45:20]
10. The Camelot Paradox: Kennedys & Media Attention
[45:50] – [47:47]
- Reflection on why the Kennedys both court and spurn the press—how sustaining the family myth depends on a delicate dance with public attention.
- “Their power is only really derived from public attention. And yet to lend oneself publicly… is also to lose the really humanity of being a private citizen…” — Kara [46:20]
- “It feels to me, it’s a two way street… there are at least some members of the family who aren’t ready to give up on being this important family for America.” — Kara [47:11]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Jack’s Self-Awareness:
“He was like, oh, that’s really — that’s a good way to think about it. I hadn’t thought about myself that way.” — Kara on Jack adopting the “silly goose” label [10:18] -
On the Campaign’s Tone:
“They almost strike you as something you would find on bad art at home goods.” — Julia, on the 12 Promises [27:13] -
On Gen X and Kennedy Nostalgia:
“John Jr. was going to be the last great hope, I think, and maybe would have been that person for Gen X had he not reached his untimely end.” — Julia [42:57] -
On Media and Myth:
"Their power is only really derived from public attention. And yet to lend oneself publicly ... is also to lose the really humanity of being a private citizen..." — Kara [46:20] -
On Dynastic Fatigue:
“It seems that there is really not an appetite right now for dynastic politics…” — Julia [41:42]
Important Segment Timestamps
- Announcement & Race Overview: [02:56] – [03:31]
- The “Silly Goose” Persona Origin Story: [04:58] – [10:18]
- Kennedy Traditions vs. Modern Tactics: [11:21] – [12:39]
- Social Media to Seriousness—The Campaign Pivot: [17:49] – [22:10]
- Website and Campaign Platform Review: [25:41] – [29:40]
- Democratic Party Perceptions: [29:40] – [32:37]
- Public and Internet Reaction: [37:48] – [43:31]
- The Burden and Paradox of Kennedy Legacy: [43:31] – [47:47]
Conclusion
The episode threads together the complexities of Jack Schlossberg’s identity as a Kennedy, a viral internet figure, and now, a congressional candidate. The hosts and Kara Vogt share skepticism about the wisdom of Jack’s shifting persona—questioning whether discarding his wild authenticity for platitudes will resonate with voters or merely underscore the tensions inherent in American dynastic politics. Ultimately, Schlossberg’s run serves as a microcosm for the enduring allure and awkwardness of the Kennedy legacy in an era increasingly skeptical of inherited power.