The Kennedys have long been America’s political royalty, a family known for both their immense influence and complex personal dramas.
Recently, the spotlight has shifted to a new figure quietly taking the reins of the family legacy.
Kerry Kennedy Cuomo, daughter of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Skakel Kennedy, has emerged as the family’s leading force after the passing of her mother, the family’s revered matriarch, last year.
At 65, Kerry—who was married to former New York governor Andrew Cuomo—has stepped into a prominent role, carrying the weight of her mother’s wishes.
Known as the most devoted of Ethel’s surviving children, Kerry is also preparing to release a book celebrating her mother’s extraordinary life.
A Controversial 4th of July at Hyannis Port
The recent Independence Day gathering at the Kennedy compound in Massachusetts was a telling scene of the family’s current tensions.
As relatives and close friends assembled for the annual celebration and family photo, several key members were notably missing, sparking whispers about the family’s internal power struggles.
Sources say Kerry, a staunch Democrat and Biden supporter like her late mother, made a pointed decision to exclude her brother Bobby Kennedy Jr.—who was appointed by Trump as head of the Department of Health and Human Services—from the event.
Kerry also barred Jack Schlossberg, JFK’s only grandson, due to his erratic social media behavior and attacks on family members.
Jack Schlossberg’s Public Feuds Stir the Pot
Jack Schlossberg, a 32-year-old Yale Law graduate and Caroline Kennedy’s son, quickly fired back after being snubbed.
He posted a video featuring a People magazine cover with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, referencing old rumors about JFK’s affair with Marilyn Monroe.
His social media posts have not been subtle.
Earlier in the year, he provocatively questioned whether Vice President JD Vance’s wife was “way hotter than Jackie O.”
Schlossberg has also publicly criticized his cousin Bobby Jr., calling his presidential run a vanity project and accusing him of hypocrisy over vaccine issues.
Family Rift Widens with Public Criticism
The family discord doesn’t stop there.
Bobby Jr.’s third wife, actress Cheryl Hines, reportedly felt deeply hurt and alienated by the exclusions, once thrilled to be part of the Kennedy clan but now feeling shut out.
Bobby Jr. himself seems unfazed by the family snubs, focusing on his role in public health despite the backlash.
Meanwhile, Kerry is said to be carrying on her mother Ethel’s legacy by taking charge of the family and controlling the narrative, including authorizing her upcoming memoir about Ethel’s life.
Old Wounds and New Battles Surface
The Kennedys’ long history of tragedy and scandal seems to continue unfolding like a public reality show, according to close observers.
Feuds, social media battles, and personal attacks have brought the family drama into the spotlight in unprecedented ways.
Jack Schlossberg, in particular, has been at the center of these confrontations, not just targeting Bobby Jr., but also taking aim at conservative media figure Megyn Kelly and others.
His harsh criticism during Bobby’s confirmation hearings and presidential campaign has deepened family divisions.
Caroline Kennedy’s Sharp Rebuke of Bobby Jr.
Caroline Kennedy also stepped into the fray by publicly opposing Bobby Jr.’s nomination as head of Health and Human Services.
In a letter to the Senate committee, she described him as unqualified and accused him of encouraging substance abuse within the family.
She referenced the tragic death of their brother David, highlighting ongoing struggles with addiction in the Kennedy family.
Caroline’s condemnation further fueled the public family feud, portraying Bobby Jr. as someone addicted to power and attention, while hypocritically promoting vaccine skepticism despite vaccinating his own children.
The Public Fallout and What Lies Ahead
The Kennedy family’s internal conflicts spilled over into the political arena when Kerry and Ethel supported Joe Biden’s presidential campaign, distancing themselves from Bobby Jr.’s run against him.
Another sister, Rory Kennedy, publicly denounced Bobby’s candidacy as dangerous for the country.
With so much tension and public airing of grievances, the question remains: how will the Kennedy family heal, or will their private battles continue playing out on a very public stage?
The American royal family’s saga shows no signs of quieting down anytime soon.