The White House has declined to dignify inflammatory remarks made by Jack Schlossberg, grandson of President John F. Kennedy, who publicly disparaged his cousin, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., calling him a “rabid dog.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the matter during Wednesday’s briefing with measured dismissal. “I don’t even think such ridiculous comments are worth responding to,” Leavitt stated. “Obviously, those things are not true. And Secretary Kennedy is doing a phenomenal job bringing transparency and the gold standard of silent science back to our health care system.”
The remarks came as Schlossberg, son of former Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, announced his candidacy for a U.S. House of Representatives seat representing New York’s 12th Congressional District in the 2026 election. Should he prevail, Schlossberg would succeed Democratic Representative Jerry Nadler.
During a Wednesday television appearance, Schlossberg employed particularly harsh language in characterizing his cousin’s role within the Trump administration. He alleged that President Trump maintains an obsession with the Kennedy family legacy, suggesting this explains Secretary Kennedy’s Cabinet appointment.
“He put a collar on my cousin, RFK Jr., and has him there barking, spreading lies and spreading misinformation,” Schlossberg said during the interview.
The exchange underscores the deep family divisions within the Kennedy dynasty, a political lineage that once represented unified Democratic ideals. Secretary Kennedy’s appointment to lead the Department of Health and Human Services has proven controversial, drawing criticism from traditional public health advocates while garnering support from those seeking reform within federal health agencies.
The younger Schlossberg’s decision to launch his political career with such pointed attacks against a sitting Cabinet member raises questions about his strategic approach to winning over voters in Manhattan’s 12th District. The district has long been a Democratic stronghold, though internal party divisions have grown more pronounced in recent years.
Secretary Kennedy has made transparency and scientific integrity central themes of his tenure at HHS, though his positions on certain health matters have generated substantial debate within medical and scientific communities.
The White House’s restrained response to Schlossberg’s comments reflects a calculated decision to avoid elevating what officials clearly view as baseless personal attacks. By refusing to engage substantively with the criticism, the administration has effectively relegated the matter to the category of political noise rather than legitimate policy discussion.
As the 2026 congressional races begin taking shape, this early salvo from Schlossberg suggests his campaign may prioritize opposition to the Trump administration as a defining characteristic. Whether such an approach resonates with voters in his prospective district remains to be seen.
And that is the situation as it stands this evening.
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