RFK Jr. Breaks Silence on Kennedy Family Rift Amidst Cousin's Tragic Passing
In a rare public comment on the strained relations within the Kennedy clan, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. acknowledged the profound distance that now separates him from much of his famous family. The remarks come in the shadow of personal tragedy and intense political disagreement, highlighting a rift that has turned one of America's foremost political dynasties into a house divided.
Speaking at a weekend gala in Palm Desert, California, the 72-year-old secretary confirmed he has not been in recent contact with his cousin, Caroline Kennedy, following the December 30th death of Caroline's daughter, Tatiana Schlossberg, from cancer at age 35. "Everybody's praying for them," RFK Jr. told People magazine. His absence from Tatiana's funeral in early January at New York's Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola was noted by family observers, symbolizing the chasm that has grown since he aligned himself closely with former President Donald Trump.
The personal loss is intertwined with bitter policy disputes. An environmental journalist, Tatiana used a New Yorker article last November announcing her terminal acute myeloid leukemia diagnosis to publicly condemn her cousin's actions as HHS Secretary, calling him an "embarrassment to me and the rest of my immediate family." She specifically criticized his role in defunding cancer research initiatives.
Her sentiment echoes a broader family revolt. Caroline Kennedy, the 68-year-old daughter of President John F. Kennedy, has been a vocal critic of RFK Jr.'s anti-vaccination stance and his tenure in the second Trump administration, labeling him a "predator" and "unqualified." The criticism is not isolated; four of RFK Jr.'s ten siblings previously issued a joint statement calling his earlier presidential campaign "dangerous."
The family discord has spilled into public view repeatedly. On January 28th, Tatiana's brother, Jack Schlossberg—JFK's only grandson and a congressional candidate—lambasted his cousin on social media for his handling of a surging measles outbreak, sarcastically referencing a new food pyramid announcement alongside alarming case numbers.
The tensions were further crystallized in an opinion piece by RFK Jr.'s own brother, Maxwell Taylor Kennedy, who wrote on their father Robert F. Kennedy's 100th birthday that the Trump administration stood "in direct opposition" to their father's legacy, implicating his brother as "complicit in that betrayal."
Despite the torrent of criticism, RFK Jr. has largely avoided direct confrontation, telling media in 2023 that his family is "entitled to their beliefs... and I love them back." However, his policy decisions continue to fuel the fire. On the very day of Tatiana's funeral, his department announced controversial updates to the CDC's childhood vaccine schedule, decried by many public health experts as a dangerous departure from scientific consensus.
Voices from the Public:
"It's heartbreaking to see a family that stood for public service torn apart like this, especially during a time of personal loss. Politics shouldn't override basic human compassion." — Michael R. Thompson, History Professor, Boston College
"Kennedy's policy decisions are costing lives. The family rift is a direct consequence of his embrace of anti-science rhetoric and political opportunism. The real tragedy is the damage being done to public health." — Dr. Anya Sharma, Epidemiologist (speaking personally)
"This is the natural result of one member abandoning the family's core liberal values for power. He made his choice, and the family is right to hold him accountable. The 'prayers' ring hollow when your actions cause harm." — David P. Lynch, Political Commentator
"Enough with the family drama! He's a government official being judged on his job performance, which is a disaster. The personal stuff is a distraction from his failed policies on vaccines and disease outbreaks." — Cassandra M. Wells, Editor, 'The Civic Pulse' blog