The Kennedy family, once a symbol of American political dynasty and unity, has descended into a bitter public feud, shattering the carefully constructed image of Camelot. The cracks in the façade were evident even before the death of family matriarch Ethel Kennedy, with several of her children publicly rebuking Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presidential aspirations and endorsing Joe Biden. However, the recent confirmation hearings for RFK Jr.’s appointment as Secretary of Health and Human Services have ignited a full-blown familial war, exposing long-simmering resentments and rivalries.
Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, daughter of former president John F. Kennedy, launched a scathing attack on her cousin, accusing him of predatory behavior, dishonesty, and contributing to the substance abuse struggles of other family members. This public denunciation, amplified by Maria Shriver and Jack Schlossberg on social media, marked a significant departure from the Kennedy family’s traditional practice of maintaining a united front, even amidst internal disagreements. The harsh language and personal attacks employed by Caroline and her son have been criticized as uncharacteristic of the Kennedy legacy, further highlighting the family’s dramatic shift away from its carefully curated image.
This public airing of grievances exposes a history of internal conflict within the Kennedy family, a history previously obscured from public view by a compliant media. The animosity between Caroline and RFK Jr. is rooted in the long-standing feud between their mothers, Jackie Kennedy Onassis and Ethel Skakel Kennedy, whose mutual dislike extended to their children. This generational conflict further fueled the existing tensions, culminating in John F. Kennedy Jr.’s public criticism of his cousins, Joe and Michael, in his magazine, George, which detailed their personal scandals and labeled them “poster boys for bad behavior.” This incident, occurring shortly before Michael’s tragic death in a skiing accident, foreshadowed the increasingly public nature of the family’s internal strife.
While the Kennedy name has been gradually losing its luster over the decades, RFK Jr.’s alignment with Donald Trump significantly exacerbated the existing tensions. His endorsement of the Republican candidate after dropping out of the presidential race was met with strong condemnation from his siblings, who viewed it as a betrayal of their family’s values. This political divergence further widened the rift within the family, highlighting the deep ideological divisions that had been brewing beneath the surface.
The long-simmering tensions within the Kennedy family were further inflamed by RFK Jr.’s controversial stance on his father’s assassination and his advocacy for the parole of Sirhan Sirhan, against the wishes of his own mother. This public dissent, coupled with his outspoken views on vaccines, which his siblings labeled “deadly,” further alienated him from his family and contributed to the escalating public feud. The family matriarch, Ethel Kennedy, despite her efforts to maintain the image of Camelot, was ultimately unable to prevent the family’s descent into public discord.
The recent events surrounding RFK Jr.’s confirmation hearings mark a turning point for the Kennedy family, signifying the demise of the carefully constructed image of unity and the public exposure of deep-seated resentments. Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg’s decision to publicly denounce her cousin has been likened to a “suicide bomber” willing to destroy the family’s reputation in order to bring down RFK Jr. This act of self-destruction, shattering the decades-long tradition of presenting a united front, signals the end of an era for the Kennedy dynasty, leaving a legacy of fractured relationships and public acrimony in place of the once-revered Camelot. The carefully constructed image of family unity has been irrevocably shattered, leaving behind a legacy of bitterness and public conflict.
