New York — Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, is projecting another White House bid for his cousin, current Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Speaking with the New York Post during a campaign stop for his own House run in New York’s 12th Congressional District, the 33-year-old Democratic candidate stated definitively that the 72-year-old health secretary plans to pursue the presidency again in 2028.
“He’s going to run,” Schlossberg said of RFK Jr.’s political ambitions. “He’s got a real following.”
A ‘Cultish’ Base and the MAHA Movement
Schlossberg’s assertions highlight the ongoing momentum of the Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative, spearheaded by RFK Jr. Despite ideological differences, Schlossberg acknowledged his cousin’s unique political traction while remaining deeply critical of the movement’s fervent supporters.
“Those MAHA guys and women are cultish about him,” Schlossberg noted. “It doesn’t make sense what he says. I mean, I’ll give him credit for being a brilliant mythologizer. He’s good at what he’s doing.”
RFK Jr. initially entered the 2024 race as a Democrat before pivoting to a high-profile independent campaign. Following the election of President Donald Trump, he suspended his run and was subsequently appointed as HHS Secretary—a controversial cabinet pick given his historic skepticism regarding vaccines.
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A Divided Dynasty: The Kennedy Family Rift
The political ascent of RFK Jr. within a Republican administration has deepened public fractures within the storied Kennedy family. Schlossberg addressed the public fallout, specifically regarding a January 2025 letter penned by his mother, U.S. Ambassador Caroline Kennedy.
The letter starkly denounced RFK Jr. as a “predator” following his initial cabinet nomination. At the time, Schlossberg amplified the message by posting a video of his mother reading the letter on social media.
Addressing the agonizing family dynamic, Schlossberg told the Post, “My mother didn’t want to put the letter up. She wishes that it wasn’t happening, but it wasn’t her choice.”
He emphasized that the family felt an obligation to protect the legacy of former President John F. Kennedy. “We were pushed into the pool and we didn’t want anyone to be confused about what we believe and what President Kennedy’s support would be, and how dangerous it was to our future,” he stated.
Schlossberg has consistently used his platform to critique his cousin. In late 2025, he circulated a satirical “MAHA Man” Halloween costume meme on Instagram, which referenced several of the HHS Secretary’s past controversies, including 1998 sexual harassment allegations and heavily scrutinized remarks regarding the COVID-19 virus.
Conflicting Signals for 2028
Schlossberg’s certainty about a 2028 campaign directly contradicts recent statements made by RFK Jr.’s inner circle.
In a December 2025 interview on NewsNation’s Elizabeth Vargas Reports, RFK Jr.’s wife, actress Cheryl Hines, firmly dismissed the idea that her husband would leverage his cabinet position for another presidential campaign.
“Oh my gosh, he’s not going to run for president in 2028,” Hines told Vargas.
Looking Ahead
As the 2026 midterm elections approach, the Kennedy family’s political footprint remains highly visible but deeply fragmented. While Schlossberg attempts to forge his own path to Capitol Hill in New York’s 12th District, RFK Jr. continues to wield significant influence over federal health policy. Whether the HHS Secretary will ultimately mount a primary challenge or another third-party run in 2028 remains to be seen, but his polarizing presence will likely continue to dominate headlines.
