Jack Schlossbergis unmistakably a Kennedy.
I am inspired by my familys legacy of public service, he tellsVogue.
I take that very seriously, and I want to contribute in my own way.
Photographed by Peter Fisher
I have big dreams, but I also know that Im trying to make a positive impact today.
Thats what all the great leaders do.
You cant just hammer people with how bad stuff is.
Photographed by Peter Fisher
Youve got to bring some positivity and good energy to the things you think are important.
Thats the only strategy I have.
He does share certain details about his private life, however.
Photographed by Peter Fisher
For one thing, hes a voracious reader.
The conversation has been edited and condensed.
Vogue:What is your first memory of politics?
Photographed by Peter Fisher
Jack Schlossberg:It was probably 2007.
Obama was still a major underdog, but young people were excited about him.
He and my mom [diplomat Caroline Kennedy] endorsed Obama right after he won the South Carolina primary.
Photographed by Peter Fisher
What excited you about Obama?
At that time in my life, I wasnt good at anything, really.
I was pretty bad at sports, and I was a bad student.
Photographed by Peter Fisher
I got super into politics, and I felt like it was the most exciting thing Id ever seen.
It felt like anything was possible with Obama.
It seems like a quaint idea now, maybe.
Photographed by Peter Fisher
My journey has been no different.
Can you tell me about how you engage with your familys political history?
How does it inform your own relationship to politics?
Photographed by Peter Fisher
My grandfather, President Kennedy, is my hero.
The first thing I ever got really nerdy about was him, his speeches, and his administration.
Ive met a lot of politicians and become all the more optimistic about our future by doing that work.
Ive always felt super lucky that theres this massive historical record about my family that I can learn from.
A lot of people dont get to have that kind of relationship with their ancestors.
I think my grandpas speeches are the coolest things ever.
My journey has been no different.
Was there a momentfamily story, speech, policythat really connected you to your grandfather?
I was in 10th grade, taking US history, and we were learning about the Kennedy administration.
I felt uncomfortable, so I was goofing off.
I was really embarrassed.
That day I went home and started reading.
Thats when I started getting serious about learning about my family and got really inspired by it.
One gift that [President Kennedy] gave me washis speech at Rice University, his famous moon speech.
Its a timeless message.
You have law and business degrees from Harvard.
How has your education helped shape your political views?
I just read and read and read, and it made me way smarter and a way clearer thinker.
It made me much more aware of every point of view and more open to other ways of thinking.
Whenever I am thinking about something, I can hear other studentsthe super-conservative kidsand theyre not always wrong.
How does it feel to have the voices of people you dont always agree with in your head?
I feel like thats what makes life so fun.
Most people are very, very smart.
If you’re free to channel peoples voices, I think it makes you smarter.
You asked earlier about my family.
I venture to stay positive, and for some reason, these days, thats a unique perspective.
That says a lot about our media environment.
What issues are you the most passionate about, personally?
I really feel theres such an opportunity to frame everything with climate, the environment, and energy differently.
Theres this battle between fossil fuels and environmentalists that needs to be put to rest.
Thats what I studied in school, environmental law.
Biden produced more oil than any president ever.
[Since 2019]the US has produced more energy than it consumed.
Its completely not true.
Most people are very, very smart.
If you’re free to channel peoples voices, I think it makes you smarter.
What issues do you think young people are most passionate about?
You have a strong resonance among young people, particularly on TikTok.
Can you summarize your online presence?
It would be for others to describe.
Im just having a good time.
Im a fun, wacky guy.
Im a silly goosea silly goose whos trying, just trying, to get the truth out there.
Why do you think your videos resonate with people online?
I give a shot to say things that I think are important.
People can tell when people are being authentic and dont have any other agenda.
I think very deeply and critically about what I want to say.
Whats weighing on you the most with the election?
The stakes are very high.
Two fundamentally different views of government are being offered as choices.
I really am focused on creating a positive outcome where the good guys win.
Its going to be more complicated than that, but Im still optimistic.
Things dont have to get way worse.
Im a silly goosea silly goose whos trying, just trying, to get the truth out there.
Do you have a message for people who may question President Bidens fitness to run?
Whatever people decide is up to them.
What gives you the most hope?
Theres going to be a new generation entering politics in the next few years, and thats really exciting.
