Jack Schlossberg. (Getty)
John “Jack” Schlossberg is the only grandson of late former President John F. Kennedy. On May 5, Schlossberg did his first live television appearance on The Today Show, where he talked about his family and his potential future in politics.
He sat down with his mother, Caroline Kennedy (his father is Ed Schlossberg), for an interview about presenting former President Barack Obama with this year’s Profile in Courage award.
The 24-year-old Yale graduate (2015) will soon be attending Harvard Law.
Here is what you need to know:
1. He Is Proud to Present President Barack Obama With the Profile in Courage Award
Barack Obama shakes Jack Schlossberg’s hand. (Getty)
Schlossberg was part of the committee that chose the recipient of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage award, according to People Magazine. He discussed the committee’s choice for choosing the former president and says that he was “inspired” by Obama’s vision for the country and his drive to follow through on that vision.
“In 2008, I was inspired by President Obama’s vision for America and all the promises that he laid out for our country. This award really recognizes that he made tough choices over the last 8 years to execute on that vision — to give people health care, to get serious about climate change, and to reach out to international partners and really improve America’s standing in the world. And that takes political courage. I think we’re seeing today it’s pretty easy to criticize without offering solutions. And President Obama did not do that. He really had the courage to govern responsibly.”
Former President Obama will accept the award this weekend.
2. He Introduced President Obama at a Dinner for Medal of Freedom Awardees in 2013
Jack and President Barack Obama on Nov. 20, 2013. (Getty)
It was quite an honor for Schlossberg to introduce the President of the United States at a dinner four years ago at the White House.
The dinner was in honor of that year’s Medal of Freedom awardees, The Medal of Freedom is described as “the nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”
The Medal of Freedom award was created by President John F. Kennedy. You can watch a portion of Schlossberg’s speech in the video below.
3. He May Follow in His Grandfather’s Political Footsteps
Jack with his mom, Caroline, and former US Secretary of State, John Kerry. (Getty)
Although Schlossberg didn’t give too many details away, he did say that’s he’s trying to “figure things out” when it comes to his future in the world of politics.
“I’m inspired by my family’s legacy of public service. It’s something that I’m very proud of. But I’m still trying to make my own way and figure things out. So stay tuned — I don’t know what I’m going to do,” he said.
“Would you like to see your mom run for elected office?” @MLauer asks Caroline Kennedy’s son, Jack Schlossberg
4. He Wrote an Article for ‘Time’ About the Syrian Refugee Crisis
Jack Schlossberg introduces the former US president Bill Clinton at the first international symposium on President Kennedy. (Getty)
While he hasn’t had a “career” in politics yet, Schlossberg has undoubtedly been thrust into the world of government. He has shown some interest in the democratic party over the past several years. Not only did he campaign for Obama in 2012, he has also written some pretty impressive articles for outlets like Time and Politico.
In his 2016 Time article, Schlossberg discussed the Syrian refugee crisis and called for “courage,” using his late grandfather as the cornerstone for his opinions on the matter at hand.
“If the Kennedys had been barred from entering America after fleeing Ireland during the famine, my grandfather never would have been president. If the Schlossbergs, fleeing religious persecution in Russia, had been turned away at Ellis Island, I would not be here today.”
5. He Lived in Japan
U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama, U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy and her son Jack Schlossberg during a visit to the Kiyomizu-dera temple in Kyoto on March 20, 2015. (Getty)
Schlossberg moved to Japan while his mom served as the U.S. ambassador to the country. According to a 2016 report by People Magazine, Schlossberg “worked at Suntory, a distillery company, where he assisted the CEO s office with research and speech writing, and studied the Japanese language.”